The Ohio wrestling team has one thing on its mind, but it is something one might expect more from a basketball team than a wrestling team.
Rebounding-the Bobcats must bounce back from a loss to Northern Illinois last weekend in a match that slipped away from the Bobcats like a quick 125-pounder.
Ohio remains at home for the first of two matches this weekend when Cleveland State comes into The Convo. But rebounding against a team like the Vikings might not come as easily as Ohio would like.
I don't know if we should beat anybody
to be honest coach Joel Greenlee said. I think they're a team a lot like us and a team a lot like Northern Illinois. I think they're a good team a team on the verge of being in the top 20. (But) I think we're a good team
a team on the verge of being in the top 20. So
a lot of it's going to depend on match-ups and their good guys against our good guys.
The same weight classes that lost in the match to the Huskies are where the problems might show up today for the Bobcats.
Jon Spires (141-pound weight class) and Jeremiah Beltran (HWT) had two of the more disappointing matches of this past Sunday only to look forward to two returning All-Americans.
Beltran, who will face wrestlingmall.com No. 9 Russ Davie, said he has only faced him once, a match lost 3-2.
He's someone I'd like to be wrestling in this situation
Beltran said. It gives me a chance to prove myself again and gives me a chance to get back in there and get back on track.
Ed Willis (174), who was more than distraught after being pinned last Sunday, is nursing a rib injury, which might keep him out for at least this Friday's match against the Vikings.
I don't know if I'm wrestling on Friday
he said. I hurt my ribs a little bit last week. But
if I do
I'm at the point right now (where) my record isn't a big deal. The big deal is going out and doing what I have to do.
The good news for the Bobcats is that Tony DeAnna (165) will weigh in for the match, coach Greenlee said. DeAnna had been out with a similar rib injury for a month.
On Sunday, Ohio will resume conference play at Buffalo, but may be without its top wrestler, Jake Percival (157). Percival will be traveling to Northern Iowa to face the No. 4 wrestler in the nation in Stanford's Matt Gentry.
It think it's good for the team that he's not going to be there
Greenlee said. I think sometimes we rely on him too much
Greenlee has yet to decide who is wrestling in Percival's place, but most likely either Mike Allen (149) or Brandon Shriner (149) will wrestle up a weight class, he said.
The Bobcats begin their weekend today at 7 p.m. in The Convo when they face Cleveland State. Ohio also wrestles at 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo._
