No. 6 Ohio State Heads West for Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Invite

Buckeyes will wrestle Friday, Saturday at Las Vegas Convention Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio– The sixth ranked Ohio State wrestling team returns to the mats this weekend when it competes in the 30th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational Friday and Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

After a break from competition the past week, the Buckeyes will participate in the elite team tournament that will feature many of the top teams in the nation. Fourteen teams competing this weekend, including Ohio State, are ranked in the Top 20 or receiving votes in the NWCA/USA Today Division I Coaches Poll, including Big Ten squads Michigan (No. 9), Nebraska (No. 21) and Wisconsin (receiving votes). For a complete list of participating teams, click HERE.

Schedule of Events*
Friday, Dec. 2
7 a.m. – Weigh-ins
9 a.m. – Pigtail round, rounds 1-2, consolation pigtails and consolation round 1
7 p.m. – Quarterfinals and consolation rounds 2-3

Saturday, Dec. 3
8 a.m. – Weigh-ins
9 a.m. – Consolation round 4
10 a.m. – Semifinals, consolation round 5, consolation semifinals, consolation finals (3rd-8th places)
3 p.m. – Championship finals *Times are Pacific Standard Time

Last Time Out
Ohio State, ranked 10th in the country, improved to 4-0 after defeating No. 15 Virginia Tech, 21-12, Nov. 20 in St. John Arena. The match served as the 2011-12 home opener for the Buckeyes.

After the Hokies cut the Buckeye lead to 12-6, a trio of wins by freshmen Logan Stieber (133), Hunter Stieber (141) and Cam Tessari (149) helped clinch the Ohio State win. Last second takedowns by both H. Stieber and Tessari proved to be a huge difference maker in a tightly contested match that featured zero bonus points.

“The matches we won late, we attacked,” Tom Ryan, head coach, said. “The matches we lost late were because we didn’t attack. You have to keep attacking to build your lead. This is an exciting group and they want to win.”

For the complete match recap, click HERE.

Stat Leaders
A quartet of Buckeyes has eight wins on this young 2011-12 season. Among the group are redshirt sophomore Nick Heflin and redshirt freshman Logan Stieber. Both are undefeated with 8-0 overall records and 4-0 ledgers in dual competition.

Additionally, freshman Johnni Dijulius owns an 8-3 mark overall (3-1 dual), joining classmate Hunter Stieber (8-1 overall; 3-1 dual) as eight-win wrestlers.

Redshirt sophomore Peter Capone leads the Buckeyes in major decisions with four to help him compile a 6-2 overall record and 4-0 mark in dual action. L. Stieber already has collected four pins, with his fastest time a team best 43 seconds.

Buckeyes in the Rankings
In the latest InterMat polls released Tuesday, six Buckeyes are ranked in the Top 20 of the individual standings. Redshirt freshman Logan Stieber and redshirt sophomore Nick Heflin pace Ohio State with No. 4 rankings at 133 and 174 pounds, respectively. Redshirt freshman Josh Demas dropped one place to No. 14 from No. 13 at 157 pounds. Freshmen Hunter Stieber (141) and Cam Tessari (149) are both ranked 15th, while classmate Andrew Campolattano (197) is 17th.

Home Advantage
Freshmen Hunter Stieber and Cam Tessari scored wins in front of the home crowd of St. John Arena for the first time in their collegiate careers vs. Virginia Tech Nov. 20. Stieber decisioned Zach Neibert, 7-6, after scoring a takedown with just seven seconds left. Tessari beat Nick Brascetta, 6-4, also in dramatic fashion. Initially down, 4-3, Tessari recorded a takedown with five seconds left and following an injury time out by Virginia Tech, Tessari scored an escape to seal the win.

Fast and Furious
Once the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational concludes, Ohio State will begin a 10-match dual stretch. Of the Buckeyes’ 10 opponents, not including match ups in the Cliff Keen National Duals, seven – No. 1 Iowa, No. 4 Minnesota, No. 5 Penn State, No. 8 Pittsburgh, No. 9 Michigan, No. 20 Kent State and No. 21 Nebraska – are ranked in the Top 20 of the NWCA/USA Today Division I Coaches Poll. 2011-12 Ohio State wrestling schedule.

Smile, You’re on TV
Ohio State will be featured on either Big Ten Network or BTN.com five times this season. The match between the Buckeyes and Nebraska Jan. 6, scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET start, will air on BTN.com, as will Ohio State’s contest at Purdue at 7 p.m. Jan. 12. The Buckeyes and Hawkeyes will face each other at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 in St. John Arena and that tilt also will be broadcast on BTN.com. Ohio State and Penn State are slated for a 2 p.m. start in State College and fans can watch that match up on BTN.com. Finally, the Buckeyes and Wolverines’ bout will air live on Big Ten Network at 6 p.m. Feb. 3. Big Ten Network also will broadcast the second day of the Big Ten championships March 4 in West Lafayette, Ind.