For the second time in as many years, an Ohio wrestler has achieved all-American status at the NCAA Tournament.
Redshirt freshman Cody Walters secured the honor with a 5-2 victory against Iowa State’s Tanner Weatherman in Des Moines, Iowa.
“It was a truly amazing feeling to win that match,” Walters said. “All the hard work, time and effort that went in to getting this far definitely paid off. The feeling I had after winning that match was everything I thought it would be and more.”
Walters (39-5) was one of five Bobcats that traveled to the national tournament. KeVon Powell, Sparty Chino, Phil Wellington and Jeremy Johnson all also earned their spots in their respective brackets.
Johnson, who earned All-American honors last year, faired the best of those four, finishing 3-2 and falling one victory short of repeating last year’s result. Wellington also performed well, going 2-2 before falling in the 197-lb consolation bracket.
Chino and Powell both fell early in their respective brackets.
“All five guys wrestled hard,” coach Joel Greenlee said. “One takedown was the difference for Jeremy and the rest of the guys were tough. I’m proud of them.”
As a team, the Bobcats finished the tournament ranked 29th out of the 72 programs that sent a representative to Des Moines, with Walters earning a spot on the podium with an eighth place finish in the 174-lb weight class.
“With how we’ve done this season, I’m really excited to have everyone coming back next year,” Greenlee said. “With another off-season of hard work under their belts, we can be even more of a force next year.”
tj790511@ohiou.edu
