Wrestling is not always about the final result, but about the lessons learned. That especially applies to Ohio’s season so far.
After last Saturday’s scheduled dual meet against Clarion was postponed for undisclosed medical concerns that coach Joel Greenlee said would be harmful for the teams, the Bobcats have had time to practice and reflect on their progress so far this season.
Through eight dual meets this season, the Bobcats have a 3-5 overall record, but that does not reflect the maturity that comes while a team is transitioning.
Last year, Ohio graduated seven seniors, two of whom finished the season ranked. That left a much younger team to compete this year. Nick Purdue (196-pound weight class) and Darrin Boing (141-pound) are the only two seniors out of 10 weight classes competing at any given meet.
The team’s youth has presented challenges all season, but Greenlee said he thinks the team has been through many experiences that will allow it to be successful in the future, with 10 freshman and sophomore wrestlers already wrestling against MAC opponents.
“We have learned so much this season. At times we have been inconsistent, but we are definitely much better now than when we began,” Greenlee said. “We have a very young team, and there are great possibilities for what we can accomplish in the future years, such as a MAC Championship.”
Beginning the year at the Hokie Open and the Michigan State Open, Greenlee was not pleased with overall team effort. He said he did not think all the wrestlers gave their full effort in a large open, but after the past two months of meets, he is very pleased with the progress.
Wrestling is a unique sport in terms of competition format. Each player competes within his own weight class and holds his own record, but at the same time, points earned in individual bouts count toward team results.
“It is very tough sometimes for the guys to not only try to wrestle as hard as they can for seven minutes but to also get points for the team in meets,” Greenlee said. “In our last meet against Buffalo, each team won five matches, but we were able to achieve the technical fall points to win. Those are huge.”
Players such as seventh-ranked heavyweight Jeremy Johnson have been key in wins for the Bobcats this season. Johnson has eight pins that have not only counted as match wins for the team and himself but also scored extra points to help the team total.
Johnson said he always tries to hit the mats and do his best no matter what is happening in the meet — but he also gets help from his team.
“You’ve just got to go out there with the same mentality every week, that you are confident in yourself,” Johnson said. “We have our own battles but really feed off the other guys on the team.”
Though the team has already overcome many obstacles this season, more progress can still be made before the MAC Championships. The Bobcats have four scheduled meets remaining and will next compete against West Virginia at home Friday night.
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