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Dec. 14, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio– Behind seven victories, the fourth-ranked Ohio State wrestling team downed Kent State, 27-10, Friday night in St. John Arena. Hunter Stieber, Logan Stieber and Nikko Triggas scored bonus points for Ohio State as the squad moves to 4-0 in dual competition.

At 125 pounds, Triggas, a senior from Moraga, Calif., lifted Ohio State to a quick 6-0 lead following his 1:59 pin over Steve Mitchell. Triggas earned the 43rd pin of his career which ties him for fourth all-time in the Ohio State records book.

Stieber, the Buckeyes’ No. 1 ranked wrestler at 133 pounds, remained undefeated (13-0) when he recorded an 18-1 technical fall over Kyle Bauer. Twelve of the redshirt-sophomore’s 13 wins have been bonus point victories (92 percent) – two major decisions, three technical falls and seven falls.)

Hunter Stieber, also undefeated with a 16-0 record at 141 pounds, propelled the Scarlet and Gray to a 15-0 advantage following his 13-5 major decision vs. Lukas Kern. Backed by a trio of takedowns in the first period, Stieber owned a 6-2 advantage heading into the second period. Stieber, a sophomore from Monroeville, Ohio, added another pair of takedowns, two escapes and a riding time of 1:15 for the final score.

After sophomore Cam Tessari dropped a 10-3 decision to Nicholas Carr at 149 pounds, the Buckeyes won back-to-back matches at 157 and 165 pounds, respectively. Redshirt sophomore Josh Demas edged Mallie Shuster, 3-2, at 157 pounds before freshman Mark Martin beat Caleb Marsh, 2-1. An escape by Demas in the third period broke a 2-2 tie and the Buckeye from Westerville, Ohio, was able to hold on the remaining 1:54 seconds for the victory. After a scoreless first period, Martin trailed Marsh, 1-0, entering the final period, but a reversal by Martin with 37 seconds remaining sealed the Ohio State victory.

Sophomore Craig Thomas, who started at 174 pounds for the Buckeyes, lost a close 4-1 decision to Sam Wheeler before Kenny Courts scored a 6-4 overtime victory vs. Casey Newburg. An escape in the third period by Courts leveled the match to send it into overtime. With 26 seconds left, Courts scored a takedown and lifted Ohio State to a 24-6 lead.

At 197 pounds, sophomore Andrew Campolattano faced No. 1 Dustin Kilgore and suffered a 10-1 setback. Redshirt junior Peter Capone concluded the evening with a 2-0 victory over Keith Whitt.

Fourteen of the top collegiate wrestling programs in the nation will participate in the inaugural Grapple at the Garden in historical Madison Square Garden Sunday. Eight of the14 teams, including Ohio State are ranked in the Top 25 of the USA Today/NWCA/AWN Division I Coaches Poll released Dec. 11.

Postmatch Quotes

Tom Ryan, Ohio State head coach

On the match overall

“Over all the energy by the Buckeyes was not high enough. We had some bright spots like Mark Martin, in the 165-weight class. He needed to find a way out to win the match and he did with a reversal. “

On the Buckeyes’ individual performances

“On a day-to-day basis, we have to ask ourselves what are we willing to do to make sure when it is time for us to perform, we fight until the end. Some of the weight classes did not have the energy we needed.”

Mark Martin, 165 pounds

On being down 1-0 before winning the match

“I knew I needed to find away to win being down in the third period. I tried my hardest to win and was able to score with 37 seconds left with a reversal.”

On the team over all

“In two different weight classes we were down, but came back to win. Over all I know we can do a lot better as a team than what we displayed tonight.”

Kenny Courts, 184 pounds

On his mentality going into the match

“Winning the match was all I was thinking about going into it. This was a big win for me being a freshman against a ranked opponent.”

On his win in overtime

“It’s not easy to win matches in college; it’s a lot different than high school. In college every point matters and I am learning to make them all count towards my win.”

No. 4 Ohio State 27, Kent State 10

Dec. 14, 2012

St. John Arena

Columbus, Ohio

Attendance: 2,046

Match Summary