Ohio goes 3-0 at the EMU Duals on Saturday.
Despite losing one of its best wrestlers in Tywan Claxton, Ohio seemed just fine at the EMU Duals Saturday.
Head coach Joel Greenlee said he was pleased after a strong showing during the 'Green & White' intersquad scrimmage last weekend, but said he knows the team is still "far from where they need to be". At the EMU Duals, however, Ohio beat Michigan State, Edinboro and Olivet.
“I think we’re pretty good,” Greenlee said. “We’re not where we need to be in March, but I think we’re in good shape, and I’d like to see us better than where we are.”
This weekend, Ohio seized the opportunity to “get better” and did so in sweeping fashion.
Ohio's duel performance included beating Michigan State 34-3, Edinboro 22-12 and Olivet College 46-3. During the day of matches, losses were a rarity and bonus-point victories were relativity commonplace.
Of the 30 individual matches that took place Saturday, Ohio won all but five matches earning bonus-point victories in 15 matches. The team tallied six pins, three tech falls, six major decisions and nine decisions.
Three nationally-ranked Bobcats took to the mat this weekend including Spartak Chino, Cody Walters and Phil Wellington. Each ended the weekend with a 3-0 start to their season, as all nine of their wins were earned by way of fall or major decision.
Ohio’s crop of young lightweights was equally impressive.
Freshman 133-pounder Cameron Kelly started his college career off with three wins. First, a 12-1 major decision against Michigan State, followed by a 20-5 tech fall against Edinboro and a pin to end his day against Olivet.
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“It was good to get that first win underneath you, got the nerves out and got a good first win,” Kelly said.
Fellow freshmen Skakur Laney and Austin Reese had matching 2-1 records on the day.
“I thought we wrestled pretty well,” Greenlee said. “It was a great first meet for our team. We looked great on top and looked like we are in great shape and very aggressive.”
The Bobcats will be back in action looking to improve upon their 3-0 start Saturday against Michigan State.
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