The Bobcats took a lead into the mid stages of the match against West Virginia, but could not hold on for the win.
For the second consecutive week, Ohio’s dual came down to the final match of the day. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the opponent left as the victor this week.
West Virginia took the match deciding dual and earned a 19-16 victory. It was Mountaineers first lead since leading 5-3 after the second match of the dual.
“I’d say ho-hum, average performance at the best,” coach Joel Greenlee said. “We didn’t wrestle great, we didn’t wrestle poorly, but we gotta get some bonus points somewhere, and we didn't do that. Someone had to come up with an upset somewhere, and we didn’t do that.”
After falling behind in the first match, the Bobcats (8-6) rallied to win four consecutive matches and take a 13-5 lead. The Mountaineers (8-8) won the next four of five matches, which included two major decisions.
“I think we’ve got work to do, but I think we’ve got time to do it,” Greenlee said.
Cullen Cummings, a 149-pound redshirt freshman, started Ohio’s winning streak, which ended with 174-pound redshirt-junior Cody Walters earning his 20th straight victory — a major decision. Ranked No. 9 nationally, Walters raised his record to a team high 26-1.
“He’s had a pretty good year,” Greenlee said. “I mean he wins. Sometimes I think he can win by more than he does, but he does win.”
No. 17 redshirt junior Phil Wellington earned his ninth straight victory as well as his 20th win, as he raised his record to 20-5. Harrison Hightower, a 165-pound redshirt senior, also earned his 20th win, pushing his record to 20-9 in his senior campaign.
This was Ohio’s first non-conference match in over a month, something that Greenlee hopes didn’t affect his team’s preparation.
“A match is a match. Doesn’t matter if it’s in the backyard, the MAC championships, or the National championships, I want to win.”
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With only one week left of dual meets, Greenlee’s message to the team will stay the same.
“I think it’s the same every time, just keep getting better at what you do. Keep perfecting what you have,” Greenlee said.
Ohio will hope to get back on track this weekend facing off against Cleveland State and Gardner-Webb. The matchups will be the last dual matches of the season before the MAC Championships begin March 7.
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