2023 NCAA DI The Season: Ohio State

 *NOTE* - I want to make it clear what this is and what this is not.  What this is NOT is an overview of the entire team. What this is, is a who’s who preview of THIS season 2022-2023. Meaning that I am going to talk about the starters who I feel will have an impact THIS year. Those who will win big matches in duals. Those who will earn placings in major tournaments like CKLV, RENO, MIDLANDS, MATMEN INVITE, SOUTHERN SCUFFLE, CONFERENCES & NCAA’s.  In some cases a weight class will have multiple talented wrestlers. I will note that & I will also be making posts later on about the best wrestle-offs to look forward to this season.  Then after that is determined I will make post later into the season of who our best backups are in the nation.

This post will NOT include redshirts. Those who are redshirting this season will be included in a separate post entitled “22’-23’ Best Redshirts.”  

10 for 10 in terms of NCAA qualification? I think it is definitely a strong possibility for the Buckeyes this season. Ohio State has a tough team from top to bottom. 

125 lbs
Malik Heinselman 

Malik Heinselman is living, walking, breathing proof of just how difficult it has been to earn All American status the past couple of years. The Buckeye is a four time NCAA qualifier & at 74 career wins, it is likely that he reaches # 100 this season. He's one of the best going into his final season yet to earn a top 8 national finish. 

133 lbs
Andre Gonzalez 

U20 PAN-AMERICAN champion Andre Gonzalez steps into the starting spot at 133 lbs after posting a 19-4 record in a redshirt last season. Collegiately speaking, the California state champ's best win thus far has been Carter Bailey of Lehigh. 

141 lbs
Dylan D'Emilio 

A leader on the team academically, Dylan D'Emilio had the highest GPA among his Buckeye contemporaries. He's a two time NCAA qualifier who has had some good wins in his career but seems to ride the fence between being a top 12 to top 15 wrestler.  To get into the next category of top 8 to 10, I feel that he needs to garner a few big upsets. 

149 lbs
Sammy Sasso 

If you've been reading my stuff, you already know that I'm sold on Yianni Diakomihalis winning another NCAA title at 149 lbs. Yet, if there is anyone who might revoke that sale, Sammy Sasso is one of them. An NCAA runner-up in 2021 & 5th this past year, I would say that Sasso has cemented himself as a forerunner to challenge Diakomihalis, but he'll have challenges himself. Austin Gomez of Wisconsin proved to be a thorn in his side last season. It'll be a fight once again this year. 

157 lbs
Paddy Gallagher    OR        Bryce Hepner 

We have two young & hungry Buckeyes here duking it out for the varsity position at 157 lbs.  Coming off a redshirt, Paddy Gallagher was 17-2 last season. Bryce Hepner, a sophomore has shown his potential with victories over Trevor Chamberlain of Northwestern & Robert Kanniard of Rutgers. 

165 lbs
Carson Kharchla 

Currently listed as a sophomore, considering that Carson Kharchla sat out the 20'-21' season due to injury I wouldn't be the least bit surprised that when it is all said & done, if he doesn't end up getting a medical hardship, essentially makin this another "freshman" season if you will.  25-5 on the year, he was 3rd in the CKLV & 7th in the NCAA. 

174 lbs
Ethan Smith

An All American in 2021 with a 5th place finish, Smith missed out on a second All American honor last season when he finished in the R12. 3rd in the BIG 10, he scored a big win over Mikey Labriola who ended up 7th at the NCAA's. A BIG 10 finals appearance & another All American finish are both on the table as possibilities for this Buckeye as he enters his final season of eligibility. 

184 lbs
Kaleb Romero 

Three time NCAA qualifier Kaleb Romero looked very sharp at various times throughout the season last year. He was absolutely on fire at CKLV, knocking off Tate Samuelson of Wyoming & Taylor Venz of Nebraska in route to a title. He then placed 4th in a very competitive BIG 10 bracket, following it up with a 6th place finish at the NCAA championships, which included another victory over Venz. At this point I'm calling an upset over Penn State's Aaron Brooks of the table, but meeting him in both the finals of the BIG 10's & The NCAA's is certainly a possibility. 

197 lbs
Gavin Hoffman 

It's a game of elevator with Gavin Hoffman.  There are times he seems like he could make a run at a national title. Other times, you wonder if he'll even qualify.  It was so rewarding to see him wrestle so well at last year's NCAA's.  Top wins over Tanner Sloan of South Dakota State, Nino Bonaccorsi of Pittsburgh & Jake Woodley of Oklahoma which lead to a 6th place finish. With two seasons left, the possibilities are up in the air. We'll either look back on his 22' NCAA run as a miracle run or one of three great performances at collegiate wrestling's toughest tournament. 

HWT
Tate Orndorff 

An All American in 2021 with an 8th place finish, Tate Orndorff was a match shy last season. 4th in the CKLV, the HWT will look to earn AA #2 this year.