Jan. 17, 2010

ATHENS, Ohio- Ohio Wrestling (9-2, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) completed a successful weekend at home Sunday, defeating the visiting North Carolina State Wolfpack by a final score of 33-7. Ohio won eight of the day’s ten bouts and 16 of 20 throughout the weekend. Quentin Keyes, Clay Tucker, Nick Purdue and Erik Schuth were big winners for the Bobcats Sunday, taking a total of three major decisions and one pin between the four of them.

“I felt pretty good about it (Sunday’s dual meet),” said head coach Joel Greenlee. “They came out and came after us a little bit and we weathered the storm, stayed in there and tried to wear them down and get them tired.”

Gabe Ramos (Hopatcong, N.J.) got the match off to a quick start for the Green and White, battling hard against Mike Moreno of the Wolfpack. Ramos earned an early takedown for the only points of the bout, which was cut short due to an injury forfeit by NC State’s 125-pounder.

Keyes (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) wrestled well in the next bout, taking a 9-0 major decision over Scott Norris. Keyes’ aggressiveness led to a takedown and a three-point near-fall in the first round, a lead from which he never looked back.

Redshirt freshman Josh Speelman (Mansfield, Ohio) saw his first action of the season Sunday, wrestling at 149 pounds. He wrestled hard but was bested by NC State’s Bobby Ward in a 13-4 major decision.

Tucker (Martins Ferry, Ohio) bounced back from his loss on Thursday with a dominating 15-3 major decision over the Juan Stimpson of the Wolfpack (4-6, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Tucker had a 6-3 lead at the end of the first period and went on a 9-0 point run the rest of the way to win the bout convincingly. He amassed four takedowns and 1:53 in riding time during the bout.

Purdue (Genoa, Ohio) had a great showing in the 184-pound class. He leapt out to an early 6-0 lead before pinning Cedric Moore 92 seconds into the second frame.

“He’s been very successful so far this year,” said Greenlee. “He goes out there and does the same thing every time and is consistent. That is one of the most important things of being good is that you never beat yourself.”

Schuth (Spencerport, N.Y.) emphatically followed Purdue’s pin with an impressive victory of his own. The junior won a 15-1 major decision over Christian McClean. The victory was his 19th of the season and he is currently the owner of an undefeated 9-0 mark in dual meets.

See below for full results:

125:  Gabe Ramosâ€"Ohio (Inj. Def.) Michael Moreno

133:  Quentin Keyesâ€"Ohio (MD 9-0) Scott Norris

141:  Germane Lindseyâ€"Ohio (14-7) Dale Shull

149:  Bobby Wardâ€"NC State (MD 13-4) Josh Speelman

157:  Clay Tuckerâ€"Ohio (MD 15-3) Juan Stimpson

165:  Kevin Christensenâ€"Ohio (5-2) Ray Ward

174:  Quinton Godleyâ€"NC State (8-3) Steve Wilson

184:  Nick Purdueâ€"Ohio (Fall 4:32) Cedric Moore

197:  Erik Schuthâ€"Ohio (MD 15-1) Christian McClain

HWT:  Andy Hartshornâ€"Ohio (9-4) Eloheim Palma

The Bobcats will next be in action when they travel to the nation’s capital for a January 24 dual meet against the American Eagles.