SALEM, Va. — Columbia wrestling saw Joshua Ogunsanya (165), Nick Fine (174) and Jack Wehmeyer (Freshman 184) earn first-place finishes at Saturday's Southeast Open to begin the 2022-23 season. The event was held at the Cregger Center and featured 346 wrestlers competing. The Lions sent a total of 32 competitors.

Ogunsanya, who checked in at No. 13 in his division coming into the weekend, beat Gino Esposito, 16-6, in a major decision victory in the opening round. He followed that up with a 14-7 decision over Jack Blumer of West Virginia to advance to the final four. There, he faced Virginia Tech's Connor Brady, where he earned a 3-1 sudden victory to guarantee a podium finish, but he wasn't done there. In a close final, Ogunsanya edged out another Hokie, Andrew Nicholson, to take the top spot.

Fine posted a fall against UNC's Chris Salazar and followed that up with a 10-3 decision in the round of eight. Fine's next two opponents were forced to medically forfeit, allowing him to take the title.

Wehmeyer started his way through the bracket with a pin on Toby Schoffstoll and then picked up an 8-1 decision over Dalton Battle of Appalachian State. The native of Sellersville, Pennsylvania, reached the semis with a technical fall win over Davidson's Cameo Blankenship before pulling out a 3-1 sudden victory against Appalachian State's Hunter Adams to reach the final stage. Facing West Virginia's Brian Finnerty, Wehmeyer completed the day with a 4-0 decision to cap a solid collegiate debut.

The Lions have next weekend off before a weekend in the Midwest when they take on No. 4 Ohio State on Friday, November 18 and No. 7 Michigan on Sunday, November 20

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