Tom Ryan had a quick anecdote that articulated Sammy Sasso’s drive to someday return to the sport he loves after being shot near Ohio State’s campus on Aug. 18.
“He told the doctors something like, ‘I’m wrestling one way or another,’” Ryan told Eleven Warriors Friday. “‘If I need to wrestle on my knees, I’ll be wrestling. I’ll learn how to wrestle on my knees.’”
Sasso was shot south of Ohio State's campus at approximately 8:23 p.m. on Aug. 18. Suspects attempted to steal Sasso’s car and an altercation ensued. Sasso sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Medics took him to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in serious condition.
Per his family, Sasso suffered “severe nerve damage” and spent three days in the ICU before being transferred to an acute care unit. He underwent surgery to reconstruct his colon on Aug. 19 and another on Aug. 20 to remove the bullet near his spine.
Following more than a month in the hospital, Sasso started work at an inpatient rehabilitation facility to regain full use of his legs.
“Sammy’s a warrior,” Ryan said. “His insides have healed. He was in the hospital for 41 days, which is a long time. There’s a mathematical equation, a formula that for every day in bed, it takes seven days to recover. ... He lost a lot of muscle. But he’s starting to feel better.”
Two teens connected to Sasso’s shooting – a 15-year-old female and a 16-year-old male – have been arrested by Columbus police.
Upon his release from the hospital, one of Sasso’s first stops was to Jennings Wrestling Facility to watch his teammates practice in preparation for the 2023-24 season.
After 41 days in the hospital, were grateful to see the champ @sammysasso back in Jennings today #GoBucks | #SassoStrong pic.twitter.com/AVhMn6IaZo
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) September 28, 2023
Sasso’s career at Ohio State lends credence to the fight he's shown. With a 94-12 record across four seasons, the Pennsylvania native is a two-time Big Ten Champion and four-time All-American. He finished second at the NCAA Tournament at 149 pounds in both 2021 and 2023, one win short of a national title, though he was set to compete at 157 pounds this season.
“There’s been a lot of student-athletes I’ve come across,” Ryan said. “I have a deep love for this sport. This guy has a tremendous love for this sport. Every aspect of the work side of it, he enjoys. So he’s not going to be too easy to push away from it.”
The GoFundMe set up by Sasso's family for his recovery is up to $142,150, surpassing its goal of $100,000. It’s still open for donations here.
For now, Sasso continues his long push to return to wrestling.
“The physical therapy team is impressed with his fight,” Ryan said. “We knew that. And we’re hoping, he’s hoping that, in time, he will take to that mat again there in Covelli. And that will be a really special day for so many. It won’t be this year, but we’re hoping that he heals, we don’t know when, but that he will. And he’ll be back.”
