After two weeks of rest and preparation, the Ohio wrestling team is ready to host and compete in the Mid-American Conference Championships on Sunday in The Convo.
The Bobcats (5-7, 2-3 MAC) wrapped up their regular season two weeks ago by defeating Duke and Gardner-Webb and losing to North Carolina State.
In practice since the meets, the Bobcat grapplers have had time to work hard and heal, though coach Joel Greenlee said he doesn’t think everyone is at 100 percent, which is normal at this point in the season.
“We had a couple of good weeks of practice, and like always, if we go out and wrestle hard, anything is possible,” Greenlee said. “Hopefully, we can go out and reverse some of our previous losses this season and have a lot of people place.”
No. 20 Kent State finished first in the conference with a perfect 5-0 record followed by Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Buffalo and Northern Illinois.
The Bobcats lost to each of the three teams ahead of them in the standings in dual meets earlier in the season, but after some strong performances in the final three non-conference duals of the year, Ohio is looking forward to a second chance at victory.
In the heavyweight bracket, Jeremy Johnson, who is ranked sixth nationally, is looking to continue his winning ways after going undefeated in dual meets for the Bobcats this season.
Other Bobcats expected to contend for a title are Nick Purdue (174-pound weight class), who also is ranked at No. 20, and Ryan Garringer in the 184-pound weight class, who has won his past three matches by pins.
Up for grabs at the MAC Championships are 20 automatic bids in the national tournament as well as bragging rights for being the conference champion in each wrestler’s individual weight class.
The tournament, which is normally a two-day event, is only one day this season, and the Bobcats are excited to have the opportunity to host.
“It is awesome that we get to host the championships,” Johnson said. “It is key because we are so used to the facilities and don’t have to travel. It is a big advantage for us, I think.”
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