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Early Lineup Look: 2025-26 Ohio State Buckeyes – FloWrestling

Published

7 months ago

May 21, 2025

Early Lineup Look: 2025-26 Ohio State Buckeyes – FloWrestling

Ohio State returns four All-Americans and 13 national qualifiers to a team that finished fifth at the 2025 NCAA Championships. Head coach Tom Ryan hit the portal in the off-season, securing Ethan Stiles (Oregon State), Cody Chittum (Iowa State), and Dylan Fishback (NC State) to a seasoned squad.

“This is the first time we’ve done this, going to the portal,” Ryan said. “We picked up three guys in the portal. It’s not something we’ve done in the past because we haven’t needed to. In order to field a team that has a shot at winning it, we had no option with this team and the holes we had. We had to fix them fast, and that’s how you fix them fast.”

Ryan has plenty of options, with roster battles at 125, 133, 157, 165, and 197. Some of the team’s best wrestlers may move weights depending on wrestle-off results. The competition is especially fierce at 133, where two-time NCAA qualifier Nic Bouzakis battles Ben Davino for the spot.

“It’s a good line-up,” Ryan said. “We feel everyone can get on the podium and fight for a championship so it’s up to us to get them believing and have a great performance in Cleveland.

“We’re in a really good spot. We have really good depth. There’s no longer a cap on 9.9 so Ohio State gave us a few more scholarships so we have more money to recruit with. It gives us a chance for some more depth. We feel like every weight class has someone who can step in and do the job for us, either the starter or the backup. I’m excited about the season.”

Watch highlights from Mendez’s 12-9 win in the 2025 NCAA Championship finals

2025-26 Ohio State Overview

Head coach: Tom Ryan (20th season)

Assistants: J Jaggers, Bo Jordan, Logan Stieber

2025 NCAA tournament finish: T-5th

2025 NCAA tournament record: 20-18

2025 NCAA tournament points: 51.5

2025 Big Ten tournament finish: 6th

2025 dual record: 13-3 (5-3 conference)

Returning national qualifiers: 13 (Brendan McCrone, Nic Bouzakis, Jesse Mendez, Ethan Stiles, Brandon Cannon, Cody Chittum, Paddy Gallagher, Carson Kharchla, Dylan Fishback, Ryder Rogotzke, Seth Shumate, Luke Geog, Nick Feldman)

Returning All-Americans: 4 (Jesse Mendez, Ethan Stiles, Carson Kharchla, Nick Feldman)

Returning NCAA champion: 1 (Jesse Mendez)

Last NCAA champion: Jesse Mendez (2025)

Highest NCAA team finish: 1st (2015)

Highest NCAA team finish under Ryan: 1st (2015)

Most national placers in a season under Ryan: 8 (2018)

Probable Ohio State Line-up

125: Brendan McCrone, JR, 23-11 or Vinny Kilkeary, SO, 5-1
McCrone is a two-time NCAA qualifier who is 2-4 at nationals. He battles Kilkeary, who is 1-2 in varsity duals over the past two seasons.

Ryan on 125: “They’re drastically different wrestlers. One is great in one position — the top position — and has had a lot of success there. The other is stingier on his feet and not as dominant in one position, but he’s steady. It’s a clash of styles.”

133: Ben Davino, FR, 19-1 or Nic Bouzakis, JR, 24-9
Davino is the favorite after a solid true freshman campaign. He went 4-0 in varsity duals and notched a 5-3 win over Bouzakis at the Clarion Open. Bouzakis is a two-time national qualifier who reached the Round of 12 at the 2025 NCAA Championships.

Ryan on 133: “You have a unique situation, particularly in this era, where you have two people willing to stay and could leave easily and get a lot more NIL money. With Jesse (Mendez) graduating (next season), Nic could always go up next year and have one year left.

“This is a very noble decision by a student-athlete. I think it brings you back to the Jessie Whitmer days, where people stuck it out for four or five years. There’s something to be said for that. They both love it here. They both do well in school, so there’s more to consider than just wrestling. They’re happy.

“Whoever loses the wrestle-off will be the back-up at 133 and 141 for the year and will move up to 141 next year.”

141: Jesse Mendez, SR, 30-3
Mendez won his second NCAA title after finishing sixth as a freshman. He could finish his college career as the third three-time NCAA champion in program history (Logan Steiber, 4, and Kyle Snyder, 3).

149: Ethan Stiles, SO, 19-8
This is Stiles’s third program in three seasons after stints at Nebraska and Oregon State. The Chicago, Illinois, native finished sixth at the 2025 NCAA Championships for the Beavers during his redshirt freshman season.

Ryan on 149: “Ethan is a gamer. When you place at the nationals as a freshman, that shows a great deal of maturity and mental strength to have success at a younger age, particularly as competitive as this sport is right now. He has a nice little shot and he’s tough on top. He’s a hard guy to wrestle. We’re excited about him.

“We like that we have him for three more years. He’s not a one-and-done. He has a chance to really grow with us and be a part of the program.”

157: Brandon Cannon, SO, 24-5 or Cody Chittum, JR, 20-8
This weight has question marks. Cannon qualified for the 2025 NCAA Championships but may have outgrown the weight. Chittum is a two-time national qualifier who might redshirt.

Ryan on 157: “Cannon is growing, so we have lots of issues there. Paddy (Gallagher) is big and strong and likes 165. e’Than Birden is at 165 and Cannon may be growing into 165. Chittum has a redshirt and two years left, so we’ll watch Chittum closely. We might put him in if he’s wrestling well and feels like he can win it at 157 this year. It depends on size and how big some of these guys get, and if they can make 157. We’re not sure if Cannon can maintain the weight anymore. He’s growing like a weed.”

165: Paddy Gallagher, SR, 17-10 or e’Then Birden, FR, 9-6 or Brandon Cannon
Gallagher is the front-runner after two appearances at the NCAA Championships. Much depends on Cannon’s weight and his decision to change classes.

Ryan on 165: “One will likely drop to 157 if we feel like the best thing is for Chittum to redshirt.”

174: Carson Kharchla, SR, 14-5
Kharchla finished seventh at the 2022 NCAA Championships and is a three-time national qualifier.

Ryan on 174: “Kharchla might get challenged by a guy who doesn’t win the wrestle-off at 165.”

184: Dylan Fishback, JR, 16-8
Ohio State thought they had returning national finalist Rocco Welsh, but he transferred to Penn State in the off-season. Ryan picked up Fishback from the portal, a two-time Round of 12 finisher for NC State.

Ryan on 184: “This was a tough situation for us. Rocco committed to a multi-year NIL deal. I’m not sure what happened there, but we’re super excited about Fishback and bringing him back home to Ohio.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say that Rocco leaving isn’t painful. We had a relationship with him. He was here for two years and we did everything right by him. At the same time, he has to go with what he feels is best for him in his life. I wish it went differently but freedom is important. Good luck to him, but we love who we have.

“Fishback is really athletic, he’s versatile, he loves the sport, and he’s from Ohio. We’re excited about bringing him home. He’s a great guy. He’s reported here and he’s a good person to be around.”

197: Seth Shumate, JR, 20-17 or Luke Geog, JR, 8-2 or Ryder Rogotzke, JR, 10-11
This fierce three-way battle should keep everyone guessing. All three are NCAA qualifiers, with Shumate qualifying at 197 in 2025 and Geog in 2024. Rogotzke is a two-time 184-pound qualifier who is likely moving up. He also has a redshirt season to use.

Ryan on 197: “Shumate could make 184, but he feels much better at 197, and Rogotzke has outgrown 184. We have three guys battling it out at 197. I could maybe see Shumate coming down if he loses (the wrestle-off), but I think the other two can’t make it. Ryder is way too big. He struggled this past year at 184. His first year, he was good, but became an issue for him last season.”

285: Nick Feldman, JR, 20-8
Feldman finished fifth at the 2024 NCAA Championships as a redshirt freshman and reached the Round of 12 in 2025.

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Ohio

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

Published

1 hour ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio Goes to the Movies, the statewide film festival launching in February, is coming into focus. Organizers have released the initial schedule for the nearly yearlong event. Part of the state’s America 250 celebration, it will bring more than 280 screenings to all 88 counties. Each film is tied to the Buckeye State in some way, and all screenings are free.

“Ohio has played a significant role in the history of American film and continues to attract talent, productions and storytelling that resonate around the world,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio Goes to the Movies ensures that residents in every community can participate in the America 250 celebration and rediscover the films that connect us.”

From classic movies starring or made by Ohioans to Hollywood blockbusters shot in downtown Cleveland, the lineup highlights the depth of the state’s influence on the film industry. The festival is also meant to encourage movie fans to explore the state by attending screenings all over Ohio.

Here’s a list of events planned for Northeast Ohio’s seven-county region.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Feb. 12. Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall.

“Major League.” March 1. Cinemark Strongsville at SouthPark Mall.

“Draft Day.” March 1. Cinemark Valley View.

“Welcome to Collinwood.” March 12. Cleveland History Center.

“Major League.” April 5. Capitol Theatre.

“Cool Hand Luke.” April 12. Cedar Lee Theatre.

“Draft Day.” April 23. Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square.

“Toy Story 2.” June 24. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival HQ.

“The Scarlet Letter.” July 11. Cleveland Silent Film Festival at Cleveland Public Library.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” July 11. Great Lakes Science Center.

“More Than a Game.” Sept. 11. AMC Ridge Park Square.

“Superman.” Sept. 18. AMC Westwood Town Center.

“Passing Through.” Sept. 19. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.

“Kill the Irishman.” Oct. 6. Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore.

GEAUGA COUNTY

“A Christmas Story.” June 11. Mayfield Road Drive-In Theatre.

LAKE COUNTY

“White Boy Rick.” March 11. Regal Willoughby Commons.

“Superman.” April 8. Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium.

“Air Force One.” July 7. Atlas Cinemas Diamond Center.

LORAIN COUNTY

“The Princess Bride.” April 22. Apollo Theatre.

“The Hunger Games.” Sept. 18. Regal Cobblestone Square.

MEDINA COUNTY

“Major League.” March 7. Hickory Ridge Cinema.

“Draft Day.” Sept. 12. Regal Medina.

PORTAGE COUNTY

“Unstoppable.” Feb. 22. Atlas Cinemas Barrington.

“Dog Man.” March 8. The Kent Stage.

“The Philadelphia Story.” March 19. Kent State University Museum.

“A Christmas Story.” June 10. Midway Twin Drive-In Theatre.

SUMMIT COUNTY

“The Big Short.” Feb. 21. Regal Hudson.

“The Avengers.” April 12. Akron Civic Theatre.

“Howard the Duck.” May 21. The Nightlight Cinema.

“Down by Law.” June 13. Akron–Summit County Public Library Main.

For a complete guide, go to ohiogoestothemovies.org.

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Ohio

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

Published

13 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

POMEROY, Ohio (WCHS) — A fire destroyed one home and damaged two others Wednesday evening, but then rekindled early Thursday morning and destroyed another home, police said.

The fire was first reported just after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in the 300 block of Wetzgall Street in Pomeroy, according to a press release from the Pomeroy Police Department.

According to police, the fire spread to the two homes on either side of the original home on fire. Firefighters contained the fire and saved the two surrounding homes, but the home that first caught fire was deemed a total loss.

Then, just after 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, the fire rekindled and spread to one of the other homes, resulting in a total loss of that home as well, police said.

Pomeroy police said both homes were occupied at the time of the fires, but all occupants of each home were able to exit their homes safely. Police also said that there were no reported injuries, though both families lost everything they owned due to the total losses of the homes.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the incident is still under active investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to police.

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Ohio

DOE aims to end Biden student loan repayment plan. What it means for Ohio

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

DOE aims to end Biden student loan repayment plan. What it means for Ohio

The Department of Education has agreed to a settlement to end the Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan.
Over seven million borrowers currently on the SAVE plan will need to select a new repayment program if the court approves the settlement.
Ohio has about 1.7 million student loan borrowers and over $60 billion in debt. The average student loan debt in the state is approximately $35,072.

Student loan borrowers under the Biden-era student loan repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), may soon have to select a new repayment plan after the U.S. Department of Education agreed to a measure to permanently end the program.

A proposed joint settlement agreement announced Tuesday between the DOE and the State of Missouri seeks to end what officials call the “illegal” SAVE program, impacting more than seven million SAVE borrowers who would have to enroll in another program. The settlement must be approved by the court before it can be implemented.

Ohio borrowers carry some of the nation’s highest student loan debt. Here’s how the proposed change could affect them.

What is the SAVE plan?

Originally known as REPAYE, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was created to deliver the lowest monthly payments among income-driven repayment programs. Under the Biden administration, it became the most affordable option for borrowers.

According to USA TODAY, the SAVE plan was part of Biden’s push to deliver nearly $200 billion in student loan relief to more than 5 million Americans. It wiped out $5.5 billion in debt for nearly half a million borrowers and cut many monthly payments down to $0.

But officials in President Donald Trump’s administration claim the Biden plan was illegal.

Why does the Department of Education want to end the SAVE plan?

The DOE says the SAVE plan aimed to provide mass forgiveness without congressional approval, costing taxpayers $342 billion over 10 years. In a press release, the Department said the administration promised unrealistically low payments and quick forgiveness without legal authority.

“The Trump administration is righting this wrong and bringing an end to this deceptive scheme,” Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a release. “Thanks to the State of Missouri and other states fighting against this egregious federal overreach, American taxpayers can now rest assured they will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies.”

If the agreement is approved by the court, no new borrowers will be able to enroll in the SAVE plan. The agency says it will deny any pending applications and move all SAVE borrowers back into other repayment plans.

Borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE Plan would have a limited time to select a new repayment plan and begin repaying their student loans.

The DOE adds that it is working on the loan repayment provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which created a new Income-Driven Repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), that will be available to borrowers by July 1, 2026.

How many people in Ohio have student loan debt?

Numbers from the Education Data Initiative show that there are about 1.7 million student loan borrowers in Ohio, carrying over $60 billion in debt. The average student loan debt is approximately $35,072.

Ohio also ranks No. 10 among the states with the most student debt, according to personal finance site WalletHub.

How much money does Ohio get from the Department of Education?

The DOE budget for Ohio for fiscal year 2025 is estimated to be more than $5.65 billion, The Columbus Dispatch previously reported.

President Trump announced his intentions to eliminate the Department of Education earlier this year, meaning that Ohio could lose more than $5 billion in annual funding.

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