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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2023-24 Ohio Wrestling season came to a close this afternoon at the 2024 NCAA Championships, placing 25th as a team, led by Peyten Kellar's fifth-place finish and All-American honor. The weekend was a "dream come true," said Kellar.
Kellar opened the final day of the championships against Stanford's No. 6 Daniel Cardenas in the consolation semifinals. Cardenas pinned Ohio's 157-pounder in the first period, sending Kellar to the fifth-place match.
The Cutler, Ohio native would face off against Virginia Tech's No. 12 Bryce Andonian. The match got off to a flying start, with the pair trading reversals in quick fashion. Tied 5-5, a two-point near fall gave Kellar a 7-5 advantage after the first period. In the second, Kellar jumped on top of the Hokie wrestler and took control. A moment later, Ohio's 157-pounder pinned Andonian to the mat for his second pinfall of the day, placing him fifth in the 157-pound division.
Kellar's fifth place finish was the best finish by a Bobcat wrestler since four-time All-American Jake Percival finished third in 2005.
"We did the right things. Peyten Kellar was ready to go, Jordan Greer was ready to go, and Garrett Thompson was ready to go. I'm proud of the way they competed here. All three guys wrestled hard, said head coach Joel Greenlee.
Two other Bobcats qualified for the NCAA Championships: redshirt sophomore Garrett Thompson (Murrysville, Pa.), the No. 12 seed at 165, and the No. 33 heavyweight Jordan Greer, a redshirt junior from Avon, Ohio.
Garrett Thompson joined Kellar in picking up his first career win at the NCAA Championships, the first Bobcats to win an opening round match since 2021. Thompson, who finished the year with an impressive 27-8 record, won his opening round match over Michigan State's No. 21 Caleb Fish. Thompson had lost to Fish earlier in the year, but bounced back with a strong 12-6 decision victory.
Jordan Greer also made his first appearance at the NCAA Championships after placing third at the MAC Championships. Ohio's heavyweight returned from an ACL injury after missing the entirety of the 2022-23 season, recording a 14-10 record. With his third place finish at the MACs, Greer became the Bobcats' first heavyweight to qualify for the NCAA Championships since 2019.
Kellar completed his season with a 28-4 record, with his only losses coming at the Cliff Keen Invitational and NCAA Championships this weekend. The 157-pound MAC Champion became Ohio's first All-American since assistant coach Cody Walters placed seventh in 2016.
"I am always thankful for our coaches and our two captains we had this year, Sal Perrine and Zayne Lehman… A lot more recruits want to come here now that they can see what can be done at Ohio University."
As a team the Bobcats placed 25th overall with 16 points, Ohio's best finish at the NCAA Championships since 1998 when Dwight Gardner won the 158-pound championship. The Bobcats finished as the highest among MAC schools, placing ahead of Lock Haven by three points.
While Kellar is done for the season on the mat, he will be participating in the NCAA's Parade of All-Americans tonight at 6:35 p.m. ET. For content regarding the parade, visit Ohio Wrestling's social media pages. Finals matches will be live on ESPN starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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