Wrestling
Ohio State Wrestling: 165 Pound Preview
By Kevin Schlosser

Ohio State begins the year anticipating starting a true freshman at 165 pounds for the second consecutive year. Ryan Patrovich was the preseason projected starter last season before a knee injury ended his year and his Ohio State career. Senior Chris Vondruska bumped up to replace Patrovich and qualified for his third NCAA Tournament but did not place. Patrovich was issued a medical redshirt while Vondruska graduated and exhausted his eligibility.

Tom Ryan recruited Ryan Patrovich while a coach at Hofstra and as the head coach at Ohio State. Ryan was also very familiar and close with Patrovich family as he has coached his older brother Mike for four years with the Pride. When Patrovich wanted to transfer to Hofstra to be closer to home, Ryan was disappointed but understood and did not stand in his way. One of the last actions as head coach at Hofstra was to approve the transfer of Mike Pucillo so he could also move closer to home. Patrovich enters the season as the projected starter for Hofstra at 165 pounds.

Chris Vondruska was a short term solution and Ryan Patrovich was the long term solution. In trying to build depth across the board, Ohio State continued recruiting middleweights and landed two of the best in the country; Colt Sponseller and Sean Nemec. With Vondruska and Patrovich out of the equation this year, both Sponseller and Nemec will have the opportunity to wrestle this season. While the Buckeyes may have preferred to redshirt and mature both recruits, at least one is likely to be the starter when the season begins. Sponseller enters the year as the projected starter at 165 pounds but could see action at 174 pounds while Nemec is more likely to begin at 157 pounds or as a second option at 165 pounds.

The Front Runner: 165 pounds

Colt Sponseller (freshman; Millersburg, OH)

Colt Sponseller was a consensus top five wrestler in the country and a three time OHSAA division two state champion for West Holmes. After winning junior nationals in 2006, Sponseller repeated this spring as the senior national champ and was named the National High School Athlete of the Year in wrestling. Sponseller is considered the early favorite to wrestle varsity at 165 pounds for the Buckeyes.

The Contenders: 165 pounds

Wes Bergman (senior; Oak Harbor, OH)

Wes Bergman returns as a potential 165 .Last year, Bergman wrestled at 174 pounds and finished with a 2-5 record. After winning his first two matches, Bergman lost his last three bouts. Bergman lost both matches in quick he wrestled nationals qualifiers, dropping and 8-0 decision to Northwestern senior Nick Hayes and a narrow 4-0 decision to three time All American Navy senior Matt Stolpinski. Wesley is the younger brother of Ohio State senior J.D. Bergman.

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 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.

Ohio State in 2006-2007: Chris Vondruska

Fifth year senior Chris Vondruska went 30-16 in his lone season for Ohio State. He began the year by placing third at the EMU Open at 157 pounds before moving up to 165 pounds and take third at the Las Vegas Invitational and placing fifth at both the Southern Scuffle and the Big Ten Tournament. In dual meet competition, Vondruska went 9-6 overall and 4-4 record in Big Ten. He wrestled eighteen matches against thirteen different NCAA qualifiers; finishing 8-10 in quality matches and 20-6 against the field. Vondruska qualified for his third NCAA Tournament and did not place.

The highlight of the season for Vondruska was his nine match dual win streak. After losing his first two duals against ranked opponents, Vondruska defeated three ranked wrestlers in his streak. In the last match of the streak, his 2-0 decision over Rocky Cozart guaranteed Ohio State’s dual meet victory over Michigan State. Vondruska tied for second on the team in wins, third in takedowns, and fourth in team points.

2007-2008 Big Ten Outlook: 165 pounds

The Big Ten features the highest two returning All Americans in this weight class, Iowa senior Mark Perry and Michigan senior Eric Tannenbaum. Both wrestlers met in the Big Ten finals last season and both are three time All Americans. As the defending NCAA & Big Ten champion, Perry is the preseason favorite. Ohio State’s Chris Vondruska is the only Big Ten starter from last season that is not expected to be in a division one line up somewhere.

Indiana sophomore Matt Coughlin is anticipated moving up to 165 pounds after finishing seventh at both the 2007 Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments to replace national qualifier Max Dean who transferred to Oklahoma. Returning place winners expected to repeat or improve their performance include Minnesota junior Tyler Safratowich, Purdue sophomore Justin Fraga, Illinois, sophomore Roger Smith-Bergsrud, and Penn State sophomore Dave Rella. Rella was the only place winner not to qualify for the NCAA Tournament and the only one to compete without taking a redshirt season.

Additional wrestlers looking for a stronger showing at the 2008 Big Ten Tournament consist of Michigan State sophomore Rocky Cozart, Northwestern; senior Greg Hagel, and Wisconsin; senior Jake Donar. Cozart is expected to return to 165 when Rex Kendle drops to 157 pounds. Depending on wrestle offs and weight management, Northwestern could bump Hagel up to 174 pounds and start sophomore Dominic Marella or true freshman Mike Benefiel.

Ohio State freshman Colt Sponseller is the early option for 165 pounds. There is a clear separation between the returning All Americans and the returning place winners, so there is a window for the Buckeyes to earn some points. Ohio State is hoping that Sponseller can score and place high enough to qualify for the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

2007 Big Ten Tournament Place Winners (2008 Class Rank)

First: Mark Perry (Iowa; senior) NCAA: 2007 first; 2006 third; 2005 second

Second: Eric Tannenbaum (Michigan; senior) NCAA: 2007 fourth; 2006 eighth; 2005 fourth

Third: Tyler Safratowich (Minnesota; junior)

Fourth: Justin Fraga (Purdue; sophomore)

Fifth: Chris Vondruska (Ohio State) Graduated

Sixth: Roger Smith-Bergsrud (Illinois; sophomore)

Seventh: Max Dean (Indiana; senior) fifth year transfer to Oklahoma

Eighth: Dave Rella (Penn State; sophomore)

DNP: Rex Kendle (Michigan State; junior), Jake Donar (Wisconsin; senior), and Greg Hagel (Northwestern; senior)

2007-2008 NCAA Outlook: 165 pounds

The Big Ten Tournament finals may be a preview for the NCAA Tournament finals. Iowa senior Mark Perry and Michigan senior Eric Tannenbaum are both three time All Americans. As the defending national champion, Perry paces a field that includes three other returning All Americans and a number of wrestlers looking to make the next step. Ohio native Mike Miller was a three time state champ for Uniontown Lake and an All American as a redshirt freshman for Central Michigan last season. Indiana sophomore Matt Coughlin is making the move to 165 pounds after an All American redshirt freshman season.

Leading the field of returning qualifiers are Arizona State senior Patrick Pitsch and Oklahoma senior Max Dean. Pitsch was one match short of All American status last season, but his tournament resume included wins over Chris Vondruska (Ohio State), Tyler Safratowich (Minnesota), and Roger Smith-Bergsrud (Illinois). After transferring from Indiana, Dean will be counted on to fill a hole in the Sooner lineup and develop the consistency needed to contend at the NCAA Tournament. Smith-Bergsrud and Safratowich will be joined by Purdue sophomore Justin Fraga and Penn State sophomore Dave Rella and be expected to vie for first time honors with a return trip. Other wresters looking for a strong showing are Edinboro junior Jarrod King, Cornell junior Steve Anceravage, Bucknell sophomore Andrew Rendos, and Hofstra freshman Ryan Patrovich.

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. Of the two freshmen expected to start for Ohio State, Sponseller may have the easier path to earn All American status but the challenge is just as great.

2007 NCAA Tournament Place Winners (2008 Class Rank)

First: Mark Perry (Iowa; senior) NCAA: 2007 first; 2006 third; 2005 second

Second: Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) Graduated; NCAA: 2007 second; 2006 eighth

Third: Matt Pell (Missouri) Graduated; NCAA: 2007 third; 2005 seventh

Fourth: Eric Tannenbaum (Michigan; senior) NCAA: 2007 fourth; 2006 eighth; 2005 fourth

Fifth: Travis Paulson (Iowa State) Graduated; NCAA: 2007 fifth, 2006 sixth; 2004 sixth

Sixth: Mike Patrovich (Hofstra) Graduated; NCAA: 2007 sixth; 2006 fourth

Seventh: Deonte Penn (Edinboro) Graduated; NCAA: 2007 seventh; 2006 fourth
Eighth : Mike Miller (Central Michigan; sophomore)
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