The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Madison graduates in D-III tournament
Madison graduates look to conclude wrestling careers on a high note
Jarrad Lasko (John Carroll) and Bo Ransom (Baldwin Wallace) are aiming for All-American status — or better — at the NCAA D-III nationals in Roanoke, Va., this weekend.
Jarrad Lasko and Bo Ransom haven’t been teammates for four years, but in a way they’ve remained connected the last two seasons despite wrestling at crosstown rival colleges.
Lasko and Ransom are Madison graduates, and were standouts for the Blue Streaks. They’re also great friends.
Their final go-round as wrestlers is this weekend at the NCAA Division III Tournament in Roanoke, Va., where seniors Ransom of Baldwin Wallace and Lasko of John Carroll look to close out their careers as All-Americans, or perhaps better.
A year ago, each was a national qualifier for the tournament held in downtown Cleveland, but each came up short in a bid to earn All-American honors. They earned their spot this season at nationals with third-place finishes at the Feb. 23 Central Regional.
Ransom (184) enters the tournament with a record of 24-7, while Lasko (149) is 31-11.
Lasko’s third-place bout at the Central Regional had Ransom in the role of a fan. That in itself is usual. Ransom rarely watches bouts in tournaments he’s competing in, but this one was different.
Lasko was taking on BW’s Stanley Bleich, a talented 149-pounder from Elyria Catholic, for a spot in the national tournament.
The winner advanced, the loser went home. Lasko trailed, 5-3, to start the third period, but rallied with three points to earn a 6-5 decision. The victory marked the 100th of Lasko’s college career.
“It was the only match I actually watched the entire tournament,” said Ransom. “It was emotionally draining. It was one of my oldest best friends against one of my newest best friends. I couldn’t tell you who I was cheering for.”
It was a victory Lasko will never forget. “Definitely one of the sweeter ones of my career,” he said.
Ransom also faced a loseor-go-home match to get to nationals, but the pressure of that bout did little to faze him.
He started the tournament seeded fifth at 184, but won his first two to advance to the semifinal round, where he lost, 5-2, to Heidelberg’s Dylan Roth.
In the third-place match, he handled Avery Jones of Thomas More, 10-5.
“For me, it’s just another match,” said Ransom. “I’m very good at ignoring the pressure. It would have been nice to be in the championship, but I’m meant to be in those type of highpressure matches. It’s just my overall attitude. I’m always happy. The way I look at it, I was the No. 5 seed. Technically, I’m not even supposed to be there.”
Ransom and Lasko will face similar situations in Roanoke. Unseeded Lasko will likely face the bracket’s No. 1 seed at 149 in Da’mani Jones (30-4) of Johnson and Wales. Jones has a wrestlein bout and will be favored in that one. Win that and it’s Jones vs. Lasko. Also unseeded, Ransom’s first bout is against the No. 6 seed Nick Stencel of WisconsinWhitewater.
Each have their sights set at the top of the podium, and at the very least an AllAmerica finish.
“Honestly, I’ve set my goal at no worse than top three,” said Lasko.
Ransom isn’t holding back either, as he enters a tournament for the final time.
“I know I deserve to be there because I’ve put in the time,” he said. “Going into this tournament, I’m looking to win it.”