Ohio State then-No. 2 senior Kollin Moore celebrates after defeating Michigan’s Jackson Striggow in the 197-pound bout by decision, 12-5. Credit: Sal Marandino | For The Lantern
Ohio State wrestling bounced back from its first Big Ten loss Friday to knock off another ranked opponent Sunday.
No. 4 Ohio State (8-2, 4-1 Big Ten) beat No. 14 Minnesota (7-5, 2-2) 22-13 in a dual meet on the road to regain momentum after dropping to top-ranked Iowa two days prior.
Ohio State redshirt freshman Sammy Sasso, No. 6 at 149 pounds, tacked on another upset win this season when he defeated Minnesota redshirt freshman Brayton Lee, the No. 4 wrestler in the weight class.
The match was tied 2-2 until Sasso created a last-second takedown for the 4-2 decision win to cap off the night for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State redshirt sophomore Ethan Smith, the nation’s No. 12 165-pounder, defeated Minnesota redshirt sophomore Bailee O’Reilly. Like Sasso, Smith put up a last-second takedown with a riding time bonus point to finish the match with a 12-4 major decision for the Buckeyes.
In the 141-pound weight class, No. 1 senior Luke Pletcher squared off with No. 5 senior Mitch McKee of Minnesota. Pletcher gained his 20th win on the season against McKee with a 12-6 decision. Pletcher controlled the match by securing multiple takedowns on McKee.
Coming off a win from this past Friday’s meet, Ohio State redshirt sophomore Kollin Moore — the No. 1 wrestler at 197 pounds — wrestled Minnesota redshirt senior Hunter Ritter. Moore proved to be too much for Ritter and came out on top with a 20-3 tech fall for Ohio State.
Buckeye freshman Jordan Decatur, slotted at the No. 20 spot in the 133-pound weight class, faced Golden Gophers redshirt freshman Jake Gliva. Decatur finished the matchup with a 16-6 major decision for the Buckeyes with multiple takedowns on Gliva.
Ohio State will look ahead to face Maryland at the Covelli Center Friday at 7 p.m. From there, the Buckeyes will hit the road to take on No. 7 Nebraska Sunday at 1 p.m.
