Ohio State qualifies its entire lineup

The race for the national title in is on, and Ohio State has its full arsenal for the chase. The Buckeyes’ entire lineup qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament, set for March 15-17 at Quicken Loans Arena.

The race for the national title in college wrestling is on, and Ohio State has its full arsenal for the chase.

The Buckeyes’ entire lineup qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Tournament, set for March 15-17 at Quicken Loans Arena.

OSU and defending national champion Penn State are expected to contend for the team title. The Nittany Lions qualified nine to the NCAAs, including five that won national titles a season ago in Zain Retherford (149), Jason Nolf (157), Vincenzo Joseph (165), Mark Hall (174) and Bo Nickal (184).

Coach Tom Ryan’s Buckeyes won the national title two seasons ago, and last week won the Big Ten Tournament for the second straight season. The Buckeyes crowned four champs and scored 168.5 points, with Penn State the runner-up with 148 points.

“There will be great competition in Cleveland,” Ryan said recently. “This is a hungry team that loves what they’re doing. We’re determined to bring Ohio State and the state of Ohio another national championship. We’ve got a bunch of elite wrestlers who are fun to watch.

“I love this team. They’re close and they know what’s at stake. We’re really excited to be coming to Cleveland.”

All 10 of OSU’s wrestlers earned a seed in their respective weight class, including top-seeded Kyle Snyder and 197-pounder Kollin Moore. Snyder is a two-time NCAA, World and Olympic champion.

Earning No. 2 seeds were NCAA champions Nathan Tomasello at 125 and Myles Martin at 184.

Other seeded wrestlers for the Buckeyes: Luke Pletcher (No. 3 at 133), Joey McKenna (No. 4 at 141), Ke-Shawn Hayes (No. 5 at 149), Micah Jordan (No. 7 at 157), Te’Shan Campbell (No. 13 at 165) and Bo Jordan (No. 6 at 174).

Snyder, Tomasello, McKenna and Moore each won individual titles at the Big Ten Tournament on March 4. Penn State had three in Retherford, Hall and Nickal.

“If we and Penn State wrestle to our capabilities, it will be a two-team race (for the national championship),” Ryan said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Ohio State’s Kyle Snyder is the No. 1 seed at heavyweight for the March 15-17 NCAA Division I tournament at Quicken Loans Arena.