Andy Gottesman/The LanternOhio State junior Dave Rella competes in a match against Cleveland State on Nov 16. He was one of the Buckeys to participate in the NWAC All-Star Classic Monday. OSU competes in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Dec. 5 and 6.Sponseller, ranked 13th nationally at 145 pounds, rode the crowd’s surge of electricity to a near upset of the nation’s second-ranked wrestler, Moza Fay of Northern Iowa, at the 43rd Annual NWCA All-Star Classic on Monday.
“The crowd definitely amps you up, it gives you that extra little go there towards the end,” Sponseller said. “That’s the style of my wrestling to start with. Letting the crowd get into it is nice.”
Despite an early tactical error that paved Fay’s 9-3 victory, the tireless ferocity with which Sponseller wrestles rejuvenated himself and wore down Fay, culminating in three third period takedowns before falling 13-9.
“He definitely wore down there by the end,” Sponseller said. “I wrestle hard until the end of the match and they get tired and I take it to them.”
Despite his third period dominance of the highly regarded Fay, Sponseller took little solace in defeat, instead focusing on the first period error.
“If I hadn’t given him the three points, I would have been neck-and-neck and the match could have been different,” Sponseller said. “He’s ranked No. 2 and he’s a great wrestler, but I don’t wrestle to lose.”
Jaggers, the defending national champion at 141 pounds, never gained similar momentum in his 6-2 loss at the hands of No. 2 Nick Gallick of Iowa State.
Despite Jaggers’ underwhelming performance, Ryan does not anticipate a continued problem.
“J’s a winner, he’s gonna have those matches,” Ryan said. “When push comes to shove at the end of the year, he understands what it takes to really be ready.”
Ryan attributed Jaggers’ defeat to a lack of energy caused by his fluctuating weight. The issue, a cause for concern among all wrestlers, seemed to similarly hinder Humphrey’s performance.
Humphrey, who trains at 142 pounds, could not acclimate himself to the weight loss in time for his bout.
Ranked eighth at 133 pounds, Humphrey dropped a 5-1 decision to No. 6 Joe Baker of the Naval Academy.
“It would be like taking a sprinter, not feeding him for a week, and seeing how fast he is,” Ryan said about Humphrey’s weight change. “He’s a thoroughbred, he’s a powerful type wrestler, but he’s a quick wrestler and he didn’t have it tonight.”
Undaunted by the showing, Ryan is confident the Buckeyes can contend with perennial powerhouse Iowa.
“I expect the team to fight for a national championship,” Ryan said. “Iowa is going to be very hard to beat. They have four or five studs, but so do we.”
Bolstering Ryan’s claim is the impending return of the reigning national champion at 184 pounds, Mike Pucillo, who missed Monday’s event because of an injury.
“We’re watching him closely, there are certain things he’s doing to maintain his body conditioning,” Ryan said. “He’s a leader for us so we need him on the mat.”
James Pallitto can be reached at [email protected].
