Much like college football, collegiate wrestling has a multitude of outlets putting out their “official rankings.” The latest preseason rankings from InterMat Wrestling have come out and they feature a pair of Buckeyes in the top spot.
Defending NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello holds the No. 1 ranking at 125 lbs to kick off his redshirt sophomore season. Also ranked No.1, albeit in a different weight class than last year, is Bo Jordan, who is the lead dog at 174 lbs. The elder Jordan brother finished 3rd at the NCAA tournament last season at 165 lbs and will be manning the 174 lb division for the time being to serve the team’s best interest.
The Buckeyes also feature four other ranked wrestlers in their respective classes, led by All-American Kenny Courts. Courts will start his senior campaign for the Buckeyes ranked No. 5 at 184 lbs, trailing only the four wrestlers that out-placed him at the NCAA tournament.
Senior Johnni DiJulius holds the No. 6 spot at 133 lbs, trailing three wrestlers that he has beaten previously including top-ranked NCAA champion Cody Brewer.
Mark Martin jumped two weight classes since last season and will compete at 197 lbs during his senior campaign. InterMat has him ranked at No. 15 in their initial rankings.
Returning from an injury which limited his action a season ago, Nick Tavanello checks in at No. 18 in the initial rankings in the heavyweight class.
As a team, the Buckeyes are ranked No. 5 and No. 8 in the tournament and dual meet rankings respectively.
Buckeye wrestlers are absent from the rankings in the 141, 149, 157, and 165 lb weight classes. Neither Hunter Stieber nor Micah Jordan are ranked at 141 or 149 lbs due to Jordan’s pending weight cut to 141 lbs and Stieber’s injury status. Coach Tom Ryan indicated that Stieber would be unlikely to wrestle until January at the earliest as he recovers from off-season elbow surgery. Once Jordan and Stieber have been established in the lineup, they will each likely earn high rankings in their respective classes.
The Buckeyes will be in action on October 29th during the annual wrestle offs at St. John Arena. The following Sunday, Nathan Tomasello will represent the Buckeyes at the 50th annual NWCA All-Star Classic in Atlanta. The entire starting lineup will be in action on November 13th when the Buckeyes play host to Virginia.
