CLEVELAND — Wrestling for a national title is the dream of every college wrestler, though few get to live out that dream.
Earning the title “All-American” is a heck of a consolation prize.
For several Ohio wrestlers, that prize will be theirs May 21 at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Buckeye graduate Eddie Neitenbach will be among those All-Americans along with five other Ohio-based wrestlers in the medal rounds Saturday, March 21, morning.
Ohio State will have three compete in the medal rounds, along with two wrestlers in title matches.
Neitenbach had to rebound from a tough 8-6 loss to Minnesota’s Max McEnelly in the quarterfinals March 20.
“I had never faced him before,” Neitenbach said. “I probably pouted for a couple of minutes and then got back to it, just concentrating on my performance.”
Neitenbach claimed his podium spot with a 4-2 win over Lehigh’s Rylan Rogers.
“It feels great. All the hard work this season paid off,” he said. “Its such a blessing to be here with my coaches, my teammates and my family.”
Neitenbach was unable to get his offense going against Missouri’s Aeoden Sinclair and lost 5-0. He’ll wrestle for seventh place against Oklahoma State’s Zack Ryder.
Ohio State will have 157-pounder Brandon Cannon and 174-pounder Carson Kharchla compete in the consolation semifinals, and 165-pounder Paddy Gallagher will wrestle for seventh place.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: NCAA Wrestling Championships set for All-American matches
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