Whether you call it a measuring stick, barometer or dry run, the point is the same: The Bobcats' grueling winter schedule was meant to reveal where they are and where they need to be.
Coach Joel Greenlee shipped the Bobcats to meets in six different states over November and December to see how they stacked up against the best wrestlers in the nation.
The whole season for us is just an evaluation for the end of the year
Greenlee said. (We try) to improve over the whole break. I think we've seen some pretty good competition and I'd like to finish out that stretch with a good hard duel meet (tonight against Chattanooga).
For wrestlers, the regular season holds much less significance compared to the Mid-American Conference championships and more importantly, a trip to the NCAA Championships. Ohio sent five wrestlers to the national tournament last year.
But following the departure of five seniors, two of which qualified for the NCAA Championships, the Bobcats lacked definitive starters at several weight divisions this season.
Most of the question marks seemed to clear up by the time Ohio defeated Millersville and Lock Haven, 47-3 and 33-6, in dual meets Dec. 9.
Sophomore Jake Wojcik started both matches at 133 pounds. Freshman Brad Squire did the same at 149.
At heavyweight, redshirt freshman Jeremy Johnson started over redshirt junior Andy Hartshorn. And since redshirt junior Nick Purdue moved to 174 pounds this year, redshirt freshman Ryan Garringer got the nod at 184.
Greenlee stuck with mostly the same lineup in close losses in New York on Dec. 12. A banged-up Ohio squad lost to Army, 19-18, and Binghamton, 17-16.
The Bobcats' next stop was the Reno Tournament of Champions Dec. 19. Ohio came in fifth out of 30 teams, and three wrestlers placed second at their weights.
The competition did not get easier at the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, N.C. last Wednesday and Thursday. Ohio placed 14th out of 34 teams, and three Bobcats placed in their divisions.
Greenlee said he learned a lot about the Bobcats over the break despite nagging injuries keeping several wrestlers out.
As a team there's a couple positions we're not very good at
he said. (But) these guys are pretty darn tough. We've got a pretty good team. We just have to keep together and keep healthy
keep improving
and we'll be pretty good by the end.
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Sports
Nathaniel Maund
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