FOLLOW OHIO WRESTLING: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio Wrestling team is ready to return to the mat for 2024-25.

Ohio will kick off its season on November 1 with a match against Wisconsin before it travels to the Michigan State Open in East Lansing on Nov. 9. However, Ohio will see Michigan State again for a dual in Athens on November 17. 

Both head coach Joel Greenlee and graduate student Jordan Greer (Avon, Ohio) are particularly eager for that matchup.

"Last year's match against Michigan State didn't go the way I wanted, so I look forward to that match the most this year," Greer said. "We're all ready to improve and show what we've been working on."

At the end of the month, Ohio will head to the Navy Classic on November 23. Greenlee is optimistic about the team's performance at this event. 

"We didn't have as much success last year, but this year we have a great group of guys taking ownership of their weight classes and a willingness to keep getting better."

Ohio then looks forward to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, which is held December 6 and 7. There will be 31 teams at the event, 13 of which are in the Power 4. Ohio follows that with a trip to Drexel on December 17, before opening MAC competition at Bloomsburg on December 18 and returning home to face familiar foe Gardner-Webb the following week in Athens.

Ohio is home for more MAC competition on January 3 against Cleveland State, followed by the Mid-Major National Duals on January 10 and 11. The MAC schedule continues with home matches against Edinboro on January 19, Northern Illinois on January 25, Central Michigan on February 2 and Kent State on February 7. Ohio will wrap up the regular season with a road matchup against SIUE on February 14 and a trip to Buffalo on February 23.

The MAC Championships will be held on March 7 and 8 in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, followed by the NCAA Championships from March 20 and 22 in Philadelphia, Pa.

"Once (the season) starts, it goes by really quick, and I think the guys enjoy getting better every day and working hard," Greenlee said.  

The Bobcats are returning a core group of wrestlers in All-American redshirt junior Peyten Kellar (Cutler, Ohio), redshirt junior Garrett Thompson (Murrysville, Pa.) and Greer. Last season, Thompson placed second at the MAC Championships in the 165-pound class and Greer third at 285. 

"We have strong chemistry on this team, with a good mix of young and experienced members," Greer said. "We're focused on mentoring the younger athletes to help them grow."

This season, the Bobcats are focused on enjoying their sport while scoring points. It's not just about the win, but the mindset. The Bobcats want to foster a positive atmosphere while remaining resilient. 

As the Bobcats embark on this new season, they remain committed to teamwork and excellence on and off the mat. 

Season tickets for wrestling are on sale now. Click here to purchase online or call in the ticket office at (740) 593-1300. 

#OUOhYeah