The Ohio State wrestling team has earned many accolades this season, but this one tops them all. The five All-American members of the team, as well as their coach, were presented with resolutions of recognition yesterday by the Ohio Senate at the Statehouse.
The Buckeyes completed their most successful season in the history of the program, taking third place in the NCAA championships.
“It’s a great honor to be here, and a great way to end a career,” senior John Clark said of the ceremony. Clark took fifth place in the 154-pound weight class.
All five honorees were awarded resolutions of recognition by State Sen. Steve Stivers, R-Hilliard. After being honored, the team was treated to a standing ovation by members of the Senate.
“It’s a very classy way for the guys to be recognized and honored,” coach Russ Hellickson said. “I’ve been coaching a long time, and the combination of being a good person and a good athlete doesn’t happen all the time. These five guys have been trouble-free since the day they got here. If every group of kids you had acted like this, you’d stay in the sport forever.”
The All-Americans honored were seniors Clark, Tommy Rowlands, Blake Kaplan, and Jeff Ratliff, as well as freshman J.D. Bergman.
The ceremony was originally scheduled for last Wednesday but had to be moved because of a conflict with Rowlands, who was wrestling at the Pan American Championships in Guatemala. Rowlands added to his impressive collegiate career by earning a silver medal at the games, highlighting his status as a four-time All-American and two-time national champion. He will compete next at the U.S. Olympic Trials May 21-23.
“It’s really quite an honor (being recognized at the Statehouse). I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until we walked in here,” Rowlands said. “Like the coach said, this program is made of not only good athletes but good people too.”
