Sent: Friday, December 12, 2014 8:21:25 AM
Subject: WR: Ohio State, Missouri Tangle in Top-10 Matchup Sunday
December 12, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ohio State wrestling contact:
Mike Basford / basford.16@osu.edu
WR: Ohio State, Missouri Tangle in Top-10 Matchup Sunday
No. 7 Buckeyes, No. 5 Tigers square off at St. John Arena
RELATED INFO
- Online recap: http://go.osu.edu/WR_MissouriPreview
- Match Notes
- TrackWrestling | BuckeyeVision
- 2014-15 Schedule
- 2014-15 Ticket Information
- Follow the Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Following a stellar showing at the 33rd annual Cliff Keene Invitational, the seventh-ranked Ohio State wrestling team will return to the friendly confines of St. John Arena for a showdown with fifth-ranked Missouri on Sunday. Action will get underway at 2 p.m.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Sunday’s match can be seen live on BuckeyeVision (subscription required). Live in-match updates can also be found on Twitter at @wrestlingbucks.
BUCKEYES IN A NUTSHELL
- Ranked seventh in this week’s USA Today/NWCA poll, Ohio State is 4-1 on the year with wins over Kent State, Army, Arizona State and Virginia.
- In its last dual meet action, the Buckeyes rebounded from a 19-18 criteria loss to Virginia Tech and dominated then-No. 9 ranked Virginia, 30-7, highlighted by a pin from redshirt senior Logan Stieber and a major decision by true freshman Kyle Snyder.
- At last weekend’s Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev., Ohio State finished second out of 39 teams in a field that featured 11 ranked teams.
- Logan Stieber won the 141-pound title, winning all five of his matches via bonus points, and also recorded his 100th career victory.
- Other placewinners for the Buckeyes included Nathan Tomasello (third, 125 lbs.), Johnni DiJulius (third, 133 lbs.), Kyle Snyder (third, 197 lbs.), Nick Tavanello (fifth, 285 lbs.) and Mark Martin (seventh, 174 lbs.)
- The Buckeyes won nine of 10 matches against Kent State in its home opener, recording bonus points in five matches.
- Prior to opening its dual meet schedule, the 2014-15 season officially commenced at the Michigan State Open, where four Buckeyes – Nathan Tomasello, Josh Demas, Bo Jordan and Kyle Snyder – earned titles in their respective weight classes.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Missouri, ranked fifth in this week’s National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, is off to a 7-0 start this season. Idle since going 4-0 at the NE Duals, the Tigers are led by J’den Cox at 197 pounds, the defending national champion. A native of Columbia, Mo., Cox went 38-2 last year and edged the Buckeyes’ Nick Heflin in the championship match, 2-1, on the strength of a third-period escape.
PROBABLE MATCH-UPS:
125: #9 Nathan Tomasello (14-2) vs. #3 Alan Waters (8-0)
133: #8 Johnni DiJulius (15-1) vs. #16 Matt Manley (9-1)
141: #1 Logan Stieber (10-0) vs. #8 Lavion Mayes (12-0)
149: Randy Languis (7-5) vs. #5 Drake Houdashelt (10-0)
157: #6 Josh Demas (8-0) vs. #13 Joey Lavallee (8-1)
165: Justin Kresevic (10-9) vs. Cody Johnson (8-4) or Ty Prazma (8-5)
174: #12 Mark Martin (10-6) vs. Mikey England (10-2)
184: #6 Kenny Courts (12-2) vs. #10 Willie Miklus (12-0) or Johnny Eblen (9-1)
197: #7 Kyle Snyder vs. #2 J’den Cox (10-0) or Willie Miklus (12-0)
285: #11 Nick Tavanello (13-4) vs. Open or J’den Cox (10-0)
HONORING KOSTA
Ohio State will do several things to honor the memory of Kosta Karageorge, who tragically passed away in November. Most notably, The Kosta Karageorge Memorial Fund has been established and contributions can be sent to The Ohio State University (Fund #482704); c/o Kate Riffee, Fawcett Center 8th Floor; 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43210. Additionally, the team will display Karageorge’s initials on its singlets, leave his spot open on the bench during dual meets and play a video tribute to him prior to Sunday’s match vs. Missouri.
QUEST FOR QUATRO
Already in select company, redshirt senior Logan Stieber is looking to become part of the elite group of wrestlers to win four NCAA Championships. That feat has only been achieved by three athletes previously – Kyle Dake (Cornell, 2010-13), Cael Sanderson (Iowa State, 1999-02) and Pat Smith (Oklahoma State, 1990-92, 1994).
MORE ON STIEBER
- Posted a 30-1 mark in 2013-14, improving his career win total to 90-3 (.968), which ranks No. 1 all-time in the Ohio State records book.
- Finished the season with his third national title in dominating fashion as four of his five matches were won via bonus points.
- Ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound wrestler by Flowrestling.
- Named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the CKLV Invitational while becoming the fastest Buckeye to record 100 career wins (103 matches).
- Only the second wrestler in NCAA history to win four CKLV tiles.
- Two-time Big Ten Wrestler of the Week (Dec. 2, Dec. 9)
MAKE BIG PLANS
Season tickets for Ohio State wrestling are on sale now and can be secured by visiting OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
Fans interested in becoming a season ticket holder can contact the Ohio State Athletic Ticket Sales Department at 1-800-GOBUCKS (select option 2) or AthleticSales@osu.edu for pricing, details and information. Information on the Big Ten Wrestling Championships, hosted at Ohio State March 7-8, 2015, will be available shortly at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
The Buckeyes’ 2014-15 home schedule features dual meets against traditional powers Missouri (Dec. 14), Minnesota (Feb. 6), Iowa (Jan. 4) and Penn State (Jan. 11). The match vs. Minnesota on Feb. 6 will take place at the Schottenstein Center. Additionally, Ohio State will also host the Big Ten Championships (March 7-8, 2015). It is the first time since 2004 that the conference championship meet will be in Columbus.
UP NEXT
Ohio State will not return to action until 2015 when it opens the Big Ten schedule by hosting top-ranked Iowa on Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. The match will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
#GoBucks#
MIKE BASFORD
Assistant Director | Ohio State Athletics Communications
Fawcett Center 6th floor | 2400 Olentangy River Rd. | Columbus, OH 43210
O 614.292.0134
C 908.892.8951
F 614.292.8547
basford.16@osu.edu
twitter.com/MikeBasford_OSU
THE PEOPLE. THE TRADITION. THE EXCELLENCE.