Ohio State redshirt junior Bo Jordan (center) celebrates after defeating Cornell’s Brian Realbuto (left) 11-7 to advance to his first NCAA Championship. Credit: Courtesy of OSU Athletics
Competing for the first time this season, Ohio State wrestling descended upon Princeton, New Jersey, for the Princeton Open and walked out with seven wrestlers holding individual tournament crowns, and eight competitors reaching the finals. The Buckeyes sent 12 wrestlers to compete officially at the open.
Redshirt senior Bo Jordan (174 pounds) earned an early technical-fall win over Wayne Stinson of Rider to claim victory in his bracket.
Two takedowns in both the first and third periods aided junior Myles Martin in his 11-3 win over Binghamton’s Louie DePrez in the 184-pound finals.
A steep 14-7 decision came for redshirt junior Micah Jordan (157 pounds) in the championship round against Mike Dangelo of Princeton.
Redshirt sophomore Ke-Shawn Hayes (149 pounds) claimed victory in a match that went down to the wire against Maryland’s Alfred Bannister. Hayes won by a 7-6 decision despite a late charge by Bannister.
There was an all-Buckeye final in the 165-pound bracket. Junior Te’Shan Campbell got out to a fast start over redshirt freshman Fritz Schierl with two takedowns and two near falls in the opening period of a match that ended in an 18-3 decision in favor of Campbell.
Three takedowns in the second period allowed sophomore Luke Pletcher (133 pounds) to win in the finals over Anthony Cefolo of Rider University by a tally of 10-7.
The day ended for the Buckeyes with freshman Chase Singletary defeating Princeton’s Christian Araneo in the heavyweight division finals by a margin of 14-6 thanks to a penalty, a near fall and three takedowns in the final period.
Freshman Brakan Mead finished in fourth place in the 125-pound bracket after falling to Jonathan Gomez of Princeton by a 7-1 decision in the third-place match.
Also competing officially for the Buckeyes in New Jersey were redshirt sophomore Cody Dingess, redshirt freshman Clay Ragon, redshirt freshman Kevin Snyder and redshirt freshman Gary Traub.
Several other Buckeyes competed “unattached” at the open, meaning they are likely redshirts and competed independently at their own expense. Singletary was one of those Buckeyes along with freshman Ethan Smith, who placed third at 184 pounds.
Among those missing the Princeton Open for Ohio State were senior Kyle Snyder (rest), redshirt sophomore Kollin Moore (hamstring), junior Joey McKenna (rest) and redshirt senior Nathan Tomasello (knee).
Ohio State will open up their home season on Sunday, Nov. 12 at St. John Arena in Columbus when they take on Arizona State in a dual meet.
