Ohio wrestling will make the trip out west this weekend to compete at the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, NV. They, along with notable ranked opponents such as Arizona State, Cornell, Michigan, Navy, NC State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, South Dakota State, Stanford and Virginia Tech, take the mats in the 41st edition of the event.
Here is everything to know about the Bobcats’ fifth showing and third event of the season:
Match Information
Venue: Westgate Paradise Event Center, Las Vegas, NV
Date: Dec. 1 & 2
Time: Opening rounds begin on Friday at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. EST, while Championship finals will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday
Watch: FloWrestling
Previous Results
In the 2022 invite, Ohio placed 20th of 33 teams; No graduated Alec Hagan was the sole Bobcat placer, at 6th in the 149lb group.
Returning teams Nebraska, NC State, South Dakota State and Michigan were the top four teams, in that order.
Currently, as of Nov. 20, these teams are ranked #9, #2, #14 and #7, respectively, in the NWCA coaches poll.
Ohio Early Season Takeaways
Two weekends ago, Ohio tied for seventh (of 14) at the Navy Classic in Owings Mills, MD.
Among wrestlers participating this weekend, Garrett Thompson finished third in the 165-pound weight class, defeating Bucknell’s 12th-ranked wrestler in his final match.
Derek Raike placed sixth in the 149-pound grouping, losing to Navy’s Nick Vifaidis in the fifth-place match.
Ryan Meek (5-5), Mason Brugh (4-4), Aidan Waszak (1-2), Peyten Kellar (6-0), Sal Perrine (4-5), Zayne Lehman (4-2), Austin Starr (9-2) and Jordan Greer (4-2) will also make the West Coast trip and compete.
The Bobcats look to build on a strong start to the season and gain more match experience before MAC play begins in 2024.
