By: Gina Ferrentino (TheLantern.com) —
Ohio State wrestling ended an emotional weekend with a win on the road against Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y., Sunday.

The No. 5 Buckeyes defeated the No. 20 Hofstra Pride on their home turf 19-13.

Buckeye coach Tom Ryan called Hofstra home from 1995-2006, and Sunday was his first visit back to the school whose wrestling program he helped make a top NCAA contender.

Ryan was welcomed by 2,118 fans and the dedication of the Teague Ryan Wrestling Complex.
The Pride’s renovated wrestling complex will be named after Tom Ryan’s 5-year-old son Teague, who passed away during Ryan’s career with Hofstra.

“We were glad to go back and compete against Hofstra, and the fact that a facility will be named after Teague is quite an honor and a blessing to me and my family, and of Cialis pill whithout prescription course, we feel strongly about providing student athletes with the best facilities,” Ryan said in an OSU athletics interview.

With the return of a former, beloved coach and a major loss to the Buckeyes at home, it was a bittersweet weekend for the Pride.

The Buckeyes won two of the first three matches. Junior Lance Palmer and sophomore Colt Sponseller won in the 149-pound and 165-pound weight classes, respectively.

The lead swung back and forth throughout the first five matches, but the Buckeyes held on to a 10-7 lead at the break after junior Mike Pucillo pulled off a major decision of 16-4.

After Buckeye senior Jason Johnstone and freshman Cody Gardner faltered, heavyweight Corey Morrison picked up a win over Hofstra to keep the Buckeyes on track.

But it took undefeated OSU junior Reece Humphrey and senior defending NCAA champion J. Jaggers to seal the deal for OSU late in the match.

The Buckeyes’ win was almost overshadowed by the significance of Tom Ryan’s return to Hofstra.

“It was a unique scene to see,” Jaggers said. “Every minute someone would come up to [coach] Tom Ryan and shake his hand. He deserved it.

“He built that program from the ground up and it was so special to see the building being nominated to his son Teague.”

Jaggers recognized in Cleveland

Jaggers had a career-changing week as he was named Collegiate Athlete of the Year by the Greater Cleveland Athletic Sports Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 21 in Cleveland.

“To even be considered for such an award, with all the talent in Cleveland and Ohio wrestling, was pretty special,” Jaggers said. “But to actually win was a great feeling.”

Ryan said he was proud of Jaggers and, according to an OSU press release, said, “[Jaggers] dedicated his life to this sport and this award is well-deserved.”

Jaggers currently holds the nation’s 12th ranking in the 141-pound division.

He is the eighth recipient to receive the Collegiate Athlete of the Year award in its history.

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