An Ohio State Dynasty?

[gostanford]

As most fans of the sport of wrestling know, the Ohio State University won the 2014-2015 NCAA Team Championship. After finishing runner-up in both 2008 and 2009 to Iowa, Ohio State finally got the upperhand in 2015. They were led by no other than the most recent 4x D1 NCAA Champion and arguably one of the most dominant wrestlers in college wrestling history, Logan Stieber. Ohio State's recent success is largely due to their amazing coaching staff and recruting prowess. In the last 6 years (2010-2015), Ohio State has managed to grab 3 of the 6 #1 recruits in the nation: Logan Stieber (2010), Bo Jordan (2013), and Kyle Snyder (2014). Coach Ryan, Rouselli, Jaggers and Thatcher all deserve an applause for convincing these studs to commit to Ohio State, a non-traditional powerhouse (in contrast to Iowa, OK State, Minnesota) and the 2011-2014 NCAA Champs (Penn State). Of course, having a Regional Training Center where Olympic-caliber athletes such as Tervel Dlagnev reside helps in recruiting pitches. Some other high profile recruits Ohio State has managed to grab are Hunter Stieber (2011) and Nathan Tomasello (2013). Looking onward to the next season and future, Ohio State will be without Logan Stieber, who scored 26 team points at St. Louis this year. However, Ohio State will still likely be the favorites to repeat as they are returning the most team points (75) next year. My speculation of their 2015-2016 is as follows:

125: Nathan Tomasello, R-Soph, Returning National Champion
133: Johni DiJulius, R-Senior, 3x NCAA Qualifier
141: Hunter Stieber, R-Senior, 3x NCAA Qualifier; 2x AA (6th in 2012, 3rd in 2013, DNP/Injury default)
149: Jake Ryan, R-Frosh
157: Micah Jordan, R-Frosh
165: Bo Jordan, R-Soph, AA (returning 3rd placer)
174: Mark Martin, Senior, 3x NCAA Qualifier
184: Kenny Courts, R-Senior, 2x NCAA Qualifier; AA (returning 5th placer)
197: Kyle Snyder, Sophomore, AA (returning National runner-up)
285: Thomas Haines, R-Frosh

6 of the wrestlers in this projected line up are underclassmen. Ohio State's dynasty will be led by no other than their new Big 3 who combined for 62 team points: Nathan Tomasello, Bo Jordan and Kyle Snyder. 149, 157 and 285 are still unproven as they have yet to make their official college debut. 133, 141, 174 and 184 are questionable as injuries and inconsistency have been haunted them in the past.

Some teams that will give Ohio State a run for their title in the 2015-2016 season include (in no order): Penn State, Oklahoma State, Iowa and Cornell; Virginia Tech, Wisconsin and Michigan will also give Ohio State some problems in the future. I will not consider Arizona State a threat until their recruits prove themselves on the college mat, as their only returning All-American next year is Stauffer. 

Nonetheless, the future looks bright for Ohio State as they are consistently bringing in some of the top high school stars in the country every year. Their recruiting class of 2015 are led by Myles Martin who projects to 174 or 184 and Ke-Shawn Hayes who projects to 141 or 149. According to an article (http://www.twincities.com/prep/ci_27585239/pioneer-press-wrestler-year-mark-hall-apple-valley) I came across, Ohio State is also in the running to land the #1 overall recruit in the class of 2016--Mark Hall (owns a victory over the #1 recruit in 2015--Anthony Valencia and Isaiah Martinez), who projects to 174 or 184. I am sure the #1 recruit in the class of 2016 (Spencer Lee) who has widely been considered the "high school version of Logan Stieber" will also have Ohio State in his top 5 college choices. Flowrestling currently lists Hall and Lee as the #1 and #2 Pound For Pound Top High School Wrestlers (respectively) as they boast Cadet World Titles and have beaten the very best in their respective weight classes.  Considering the fact that Ohio State successfully recruited 3 of the last 6 #1 recruits and consecutive #1 recruits (2013-2014), I do not think it is far-fetched that they will be able to convince Hall and Lee to sign for the Buckeyes. However, it is hard seeing Hall not choosing Minnesota and Lee not choosing Penn State. 

What're your guys' thoughts? Who do you think is the team favorite for the 2015-2016 season?

[willyman57]

Lets see here, FOSU wins their first ever tile and that constitues a dynasty! Wow who knew!

Sit down catch your breath and please, please walk away from the bottle slowly! Try at least to enjoy what your team has accomplished, and savor it! It may be the very last time you get to sniff it EVER!

[gostanford]

Mar 30, 2015 0:03:20 GMT -5 willyman57 said:

Lets see here, FOSU wins their first ever tile and that constitues a dynasty! Wow who knew!

Sit down catch your breath and please, please walk away from the bottle slowly! Try at least to enjoy what your team has accomplished, and savor it! It may be the very last time you get to sniff it EVER!

We've accomplished a lot this year. Jim Wilson was our first AA in a few years (since Mango) and we matched the most qualifiers in program history. Why are you so bitter about OSU's succes?

[highcrotch11]

The greatest part to wrestling is that of being "blind" to the obvious.  Injuries are the biggest factor in robbing "sure things" from happening.  I, too, am happy for the Buckeyes.  They had one great season.  Hunter Stieber situations can impact any team, at least from a lagging injury standpoint.

Cael Sanderson has taken a page from Tom Ryan's strategic book in redshirting 125 and 141, this year.  Do they have enough to make it happen next year?  That is why we wrestle the tournaments.  Good luck, Buckeyes.  Everyone will be after you!

[nomoretape]

Doesnt matter if you include ASU or not. You have to think they will have much to say about any dynasties. They return 2 Pac 12 champs and 6 NCAA qualifiers. Their top 4 recruits are all tip top wrestlers with tons of international experience. Now that coaches there have a full year to influence the program, the schedule among other things will be much better for them and prepare them much better.

[gostanford]

Mar 30, 2015 14:46:46 GMT -5 nomoretape said:

Doesnt matter if you include ASU or not. You have to think they will have much to say about any dynasties. They return 2 Pac 12 champs and 6 NCAA qualifiers. Their top 4 recruits are all tip top wrestlers with tons of international experience. Now that coaches there have a full year to influence the program, the schedule among other things will be much better for them and prepare them much better.

I agree. The Pac 12 will be getting more national attention with the arrival of Coach Zeke Jones. His two assistants in Oklahoma State standouts Jordan Oliver and Chris Pendleton will also attract more wrestlers. I am sad that Zeke Jone's arrival to ASU likely means no Pac 12 championship in the near future for the Cardinal; however, I am happy that it is increasing the depth and strength in the Pac 12. I also believe Fresno State will be reinstating its program--extending the Pac 12 to 7 schools for wrestling. Both ASU's and the Pac 12's future looks bright.