Wrestling
Ohio State Wrestling: 157 Pound Preview
By Kevin Schlosser

Ohio State junior Jason Johnstone returns for his fourth season as a two year letterman and is the projected starter at 157 pounds. After starting as a true freshman at 141 pounds and taking a redshirt season as a sophomore, Johnston entered last year as the favorite to start at 149 pounds. An early season injury to projected 165 pounds starter Ryan Patrovich triggered Coach Tom Ryan bumped up senior Chris Vondruska to replace him and freshman Lance Palmer was named starter at 149 pounds and Johnstone was moved up to 157 pounds.

The Buckeyes had high expectations for Johnstone last season after he put together a great off season and they expected him to start at 149 pounds. Johnstone beat Lance Palmer in the first varsity wrestle off and competed in the EMU and MSU Opens at 149 pounds. Johnstone and Palmer defaulted in the consolation finals at Eastern Michigan while Johnstone won a 3-2 decision against Palmer in the consolation quarterfinals at Michigan State. Johnstone made the bump to 157 pounds when Ohio State began the regular season. Unfortunately his greatest success came against his own teammate as he struggled with the additional weight and his consistency. Palmer went onto to become an All American while Johnstone took one for the team and experienced mixed success.

With an off season to get stronger and add additional bulk, Johnston should enter the season more comfortable and prepared to compete at 157 pounds. While the starting spot has not been anointed to Johnstone, he can expect to be challenged and pushed by true freshman Sean Nemec. The Buckeyes will be counting on Johnstone to take the next step this season and place at the Big Ten Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

The 2007 Front Runner: 157 pounds

Jason Johnstone began his Ohio State career at 149 pounds as a true freshman before finishing the year at 141 pounds. After posting a 13-20 record his first year on campus, he was given a redshirt in 2006. Johnstone returned to the varsity lineup last season at 149 pounds before bumping up to 157 pounds for the remainder of the year and finishing the year with an 18-19 record.

A former two time Ohio state champion for Massillon Perry and an accomplished freestyle wrestler, Johnstone had high aspirations entering last season. While he may not have been an All American at 149 pounds last season, he may have better suited to wrestle at 149 pounds as opposed to 157 pounds. Johnstone struggled at times with the difference in size, power, and style but gained experience. With another year under his belts, Johnstone needs to continue beating the field and step his game up against top level competition.

The 2007 Contenders: 157 pounds

Sean Nemec (freshman; Lakewood, OH)

Sean Nemec from Lakewood St Edwards became the second Eagle wrestler in as many years to come to Columbus. Battling injuries his senior year, Nemec made the state finals for the fourth year and won his third OHSAA division one state championship. In national competition, Nemec is a former Cadet National champion and a two time Junior National All American in freestyle.

While he is a prime candidate for a redshirt this season, Nemec is expected to compete in the 157 pound weight class initially at Ohio State. Nemec also could emerge as a player at 165 pounds if he can beat out his fellow freshman. If something happens and Sponseller is not in the lineup or at 174 pounds, Nemec would have an opportunity at 165 pounds while Johnstone would still be in the lineup at 157 pounds.

Tyler Meek (freshman; Warren, OH)

Ross Ambrose (freshman; Strongsville, OH)

Brendan Beucler (freshman; Reading, MA)

Ohio State in 2006-2007: 157 pounds

Jason Johnstone wrestled every varsity match for Ohio State in 2006-2007. As a redshirt sophomore, he posted an 18-19 overall record; placing third at the MSU Open and fifth at the MSU Open. Johnstone did not place at the Big Ten Tournament. In dual meet action, he went 5-10 overall and 2-6 against the Big Ten. Johnstone wrestled sixteen matches against fifteen different NCAA qualifiers; finishing 1-15 in quality matches and 17-4 against the field.

Johnstone tied for second on the team in pins, finished third in reversals, and tied for fifth in takedowns and near falls. His decision victory against Cornell and his pin against Northwestern helped propel the Buckeyes to one point wins in dual meet competition. Wrestling at 149 pounds at the MSU open, his signature win of the season was a 6-5 decision over teammate Lance Palmer in the consolation semifinals of the MSU Open.

2007-2008 Big Ten Outlook: 157 pounds

Minnesota senior C.P. Schlatter will look to defend his Big Ten champion against a field of All Americans. The four time Ohio state champion for St Paris Graham became a first time All American last season. Schlatter upset Indiana senior Brandon Becker 1-0 in the conference finals and knocked the two-time All American out of the consolation bracket with a 3-2 decision at the NCAA Tournament.

Wisconsin senior Craig Henning became the second two time All American in this weight class when he won the bottom half of the bracket and finished second in the NCAA finals. Illinois junior Michael Poeta finished fourth at the Big Ten Tournament and improved to third at the NCAA Tournament. Poeta defeated Schlatter in the championship quarterfinals before falling to the eventual champ and rebounding to finish third.

Returning place winners in this weight class are Iowa sophomore Ryan Morningstar and Purdue junior Jake Murphy. Penn State sophomore Bubba Jenkins is anticipated to drop to 149 pounds with Dan Valimont moving up to wrestle here. Valimont took forth at the 2007 Big Ten Tournament at 149 pounds and was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament a match short of All American status. Bubba Jenkins spent his summer winning a Junior World freestyle gold medal in Beijing, China.

All three wrestlers that did not place last season return, but will face challenges from their teammates before they are assured of competing in Minnesota. Ohio State junior Jason Johnstone will be favored over freshman Sean Nemec; Michigan State senior Tony Greathouse will defend against former 165 pounder Rex Kendle; and Northwestern junior Dominic Marella will face stiff competition from redshirt freshman Kyle Bertin. (Lakewood St. Edwards) Michigan is expected to start senior Jeff Marsh, a two year letterman.

This will be an important and challenging weight class for Ohio State. In a deep and veteran weight class, the Buckeyes will measure their success by whether or not they get through to the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State will miss both Minnesota and Illinois so the Buckeyes will not see returning All Americans C.P. Schlatter or Mark Poeta. While Jason Johnstone may not make the conference finals, he has the experience and talent to place with the right draw or a strong performance. If Sean Nemec is wrestling well enough to sit Johnstone, the Big Ten Tournament will be the next challenge.

2007 Big Ten Tournament Place Winners (2008 Class Rank)

First: C.P. Schlatter (Minnesota; senior) 2007 NCAA sixth

Second: Brandon Becker (Indiana; senior) 2006 NCAA sixth; 2005 NCAA fifth

Third: Craig Henning (Wisconsin; senior) 2007 NCAA second, 2006 NCAA eighth

Fourth: Michael Poeta (Illinois; junior) 2007 NCAA third

Fifth: Ryan Morningstar (Iowa; sophomore)

Sixth: Bubba Jenkins (Penn State; sophomore)

Seventh: Jake Murphy (Purdue; junior)

Eighth: Rob Sulaver (Michigan) GRADUATED

DNP: Jason Johnstone (Ohio State; junior), sophomore; Tony Greathouse (Michigan State, senior) and Dominic Marella (Northwestern; junior)

2007-2008 NCAA Outlook: 157 pounds

The Big Ten Tournament finals may be a preview for the NCAA Tournament finals. With the graduation of Iowa State national champion Trent Paulson, the Big Ten returns four All Americans. Craig Henning leads All Americans senior(s) Matt Kochner (Pitt), C.P. Schlatter, Josh Zupancic (Stanford), Ryan Hluschak (Drexel) and junior Michael Poeta. After not placing at the 2007 tournament, two-time All American Brandon Becker will be expected to contend. In one of the deepest and most competitive weight classes, any one of these wrestlers could be potential finalist.

Despite losing the national champion to graduation, Iowa State will reload by bumping Cyler Sanderson up a weight. Sanderson came up one win short of earning All American status at the 2007 tournament at 149 pounds. The biggest target in this weight class will be Edinboro junior Gregor Gillespie, the defending national champion at 149 pounds. Cornell junior Jordan Lean is also considering a move to 157 pounds after finishing eighth in 2007 at 149 pounds.

Other wrestlers looking to become first time All Americans are Nebraska; junior Chris Oliver, Northern Iowa junior Moza Fay, Missouri junior Michael Chandler, and Kent State junior Kurt Gross. Either Penn State starter Dan Vallimont (2007-149) or Bubba Jenkins (2007-157) will be expected to have a strong showing. Virginia Tech transfer Jon Bonilla-Bowman, the 2007 ACC champion, replaces All American James Strouse at Hofstra.

The Buckeyes have two goals in this weight class; qualify someone for the NCAA Tournament and have them score at the NCAA Tournament. Both are attainable goals, but each will be a challenge taken one step at a time.

2007 NCAA Tournament Place Winners (2008 Class Rank)

First: Trent Paulson (Iowa State) Graduated; NCAA: 2007 first; 2006 fourth; 2005 fourth

Second: Craig Henning (Wisconsin; senior) NCAA: 2007 second; 2006 eighth

Third: Michael Poeta (Illinois; junior)

Fourth: James Strouse (Hofstra; senior) Graduated

Fifth: Matt Kochner (Pitt; senior)

Sixth: C.P. Schlatter (Minnesota; senior)

Seventh: Josh Zupancic (Stanford; senior)

Eighth: Ryan Hluschak (Drexel; senior)
DNP Brandon Becker (Indiana; senior) NCAA: 2006 sixth; 2005 fifth
Return to the-Ozone Columns and Features

Return to the-OZone Front Page