With two invitationals under its belt, the Ohio State wrestling team looks toward Las Vegas as its next big stop before it begins its Big Ten Conference season later this month.
“Our conference is the strongest in the country,” coach Russ Hellickson said. “We need to make sure we’re ready to battle at the end of the year.”
At the 2003 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational today, the Buckeyes will be led in their respective weight divisions by seniors Tommy Rowlands (heavyweight), Blake Kaplan (184), John Clark (165), Jeff Ratliff (141) and Jesse Leng (133).
Rowlands, the 2002 national champ and lone captain on this year’s squad, has found success so far at both the Oklahoma Gold Classic and the Michigan State Open. Representing OSU in the heavyweight division, Rowlands went undefeated en route to becoming the champion in his weight class at both events.
His performance at the Oklahoma Gold Classic garnered him Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors as well. For some personal incentive, the Las Vegas Invitational looms as the only competition that Rowlands has yet to win in his collegiate career.
“Some of our younger guys have taken their lumps, but they’re keeping a positive attitude,” Rowlands said. “Coach Hellickson doesn’t want us to start out in a blaze of glory. We’re on track for great things, we’ll keep moving forward for the end of the year.”
Kaplan, Clark and Ratliff won their respective divisions at the Oklahoma Gold Classic, and Kaplan also successfully defended his 2002 Michigan State Open title in November after jumping up from the 174-pound weight class a year ago to 184 this year. Clark set a career mark this year, capturing his 100th win at the Michigan State Open.
“Basically we have five seniors and three stud freshmen that we’re looking for to step up,” Kaplan said.
“We came in second to Oklahoma (at the Oklahoma Gold Classic), which we aren’t happy about because we feel that we were a better team. But, it’s early and we work to be at our best at the end of the season,” he said.
Joining the seniors in Las Vegas this weekend will be freshmen Jermaine Jones (125), James King (157), Alex Picazzo (174) and J.D. Bergman (197), along with sophomore Ryan Derr (149). Bergman received runner-up honors at the Michigan State Open in his first collegiate appearance.
With more than 40 teams slated to compete, the Las Vegas Invitational is known as one of the greatest tournaments in the nation. Hellickson said the diverse draw will give his team the opportunity to gain exposure to every wrestling faction in America before the end of the weekend.
Giving credit to his senior leadership for the success that they have had thus far, Hellickson said that both he and his staff will have an opportunity to evaluate where the Buckeyes stand as the Big Ten season approaches.
