No. 30 Wrestling Hosts No. 9 Michigan Friday, No. 6 Ohio State Sunday to Start Dual Season

Friday, November 17

New York, N.Y.

7:00 PM

Columbia University

#9 Michigan

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

No. 30 Wrestling Hosts No. 9 Michigan Friday, No. 6 Ohio State Sunday to Start Dual Season

11/16/2023 10:05:00 PM | Wrestling

Watch on ESPN+ - Michigan Watch on ESPN+ - Ohio State

Columbia continues its trend of bringing the nation’s top programs to New York

By: Garret Sulak

NEW YORK – The No. 30 Columbia wrestling team will open its dual season Friday night when the Lions welcome No. 9 Michigan to Levien Gymnasium for the home opener. Columbia will cap off the weekend by hosting No. 6 Ohio State on Sunday at 11 a.m. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.

"We're committed to bringing the best competition in the country to New York City," Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling Zach Tanelli said. "We are an embodiment of New York City. What we are really trying to preach all the time just kind of that grit."

RECAPPING THE CLARION OPEN
Columbia opened the season two weeks ago at the Clarion Open. The Lions had some success as senior Angelo Rini (133), junior Aaron Ayzerov (184) and sophomore Jack Wehmeyer (197) each posted third place finishes individually. Columbia finished in second as a team behind Ohio State.

In total, 10 Lions earned a spot on the podium in an impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign. Joshua Ogunsanya finished fourth at 165. Nick Babin took fourth at 125 and Vincent Mueller earned a fourth place finish at 285. Jaden Le finished fifth at 157, while Kai Owen took fifth at 141. Jack Mcgill (184) and Nolan Neves (285) each finished sixth.

Additionally, first-years Sulayman Bah, Rawson Iwanicki, Karl Monaco, Tyler Barrett, Adam Haselius, Nolan Neves and Vincent Mueller each picked up their first career wins as Lions at the Clarion Open.

THE OPPONENTS
Michigan boasted a champion and 12 total placewinners at the Michigan State Open last Saturday (Nov. 11). Senior/junior Dylan Ragusin went 4-0 after he captured the 133-pound title, while senior/junior Jaden Bullock reached the 184-pound finals and posted a 3-1 record. Freshman Sergio Lemley (141 pounds), junior/sophomore Zack Mattin (157) and senior/junior Joseph Walker (174) all placed third at their respective weight classes.

The Wolverines currently boast seven wrestlers ranked nationally at their respective weight classes, including six in the top 10 according to InterMat: No. 8 DeAugustino (125), No. 7 Cannon (133), No. 6 Lewan (157), No. 3 Amine (165), No. 4 Griffith (174) and No. 3 Davison (Hwt).

Ohio State opened the dual season with a 24-12 road win at No. 3 Virginia Tech. Four first year performers earned wins for the Buckeyes over the Hokies with redshirt freshman Brendan McCrone upsetting No. 4 Eddie Ventresca at 125 by major decision, 11-3. True freshman Ryder Rogotzke got the pin at 184 while redshirt rookies Luke Geog (197) and heavyweight Nick Feldman both earned wins by decision. Jack-of-all-trades Isaac Wilcox upset No. 16 Connor Brady of the Hokies by decision 6-5 to help the Buckeyes win four of the last five bouts in the road win.

The Buckeyes followed with a home-opening win over Edinboro, 53-0, Nov. 12. Ohio State scored bonus points in nine matches and posted four victories by fall.

Four Buckeyes earned titles with seven individuals making it to the finals in their respective weight classes last Sunday at the 2023 Clarion Open. Ohio State sent 27 wrestlers to the event and won titles at 149 (Dylan D'Emilio), 157 (Paddy Gallagher), 174 (Rocco Welsh) and HWT (Nick Feldman). Jesse Mendez and Brandon Cannon made the finals at 141 but agreed to a no contest result. Isaac Wilcox took second at 165.

PROBABLE WEEKEND LINEUP
125 - No. 21 Nick Babin or Sulayman Bah
133 - No. 11 Angelo Rini or Yanni Vines
141 - No. 33 Kai Owen or Mason Clarke
149 - No. 19 Richard Fedalen or Kenny Duschek
157 - Jaden Le or David Berkovich
165 - Andy Garr
174 - Kyle Mosher or Garret Bilgrav
184 - No. 30 Aaron Ayzerov or Joe Curtis
197 - No. 28 Jack Wehmeyer or Michael Baker
HWT -Nolan Neves or Vincent Mueller

LIONS IN THE RANKINGS
As a team, Columbia checked in at No. 30 in the most recent Intermat team dual rankings. Eight individuals earned rankings.

125 - No. 21 Nick Babin
133 - No. 11 Angelo Rini
141 - No. 33 Kai Owen
149 - No. 19 Richard Fedalen
165 – No. 14 Joshua Ogunsanya
174 – No. 20 Lennox Wolak
184 - No. 30 Aaron Ayzerov
197 - No. 28 Jack Wehmeyer

FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Wrestling by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsWR), Instagram (@culionswr) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).