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Ohio wrestlers Garrett Thompson (left) and Jordan Greer (right) during Ohio's meet with NIU.
Ohio wrestlers Garrett Thompson (left) and Jordan Greer (right) during Ohio’s meet with NIU. [HG Biggs | WOUB Public Media]

Thompson and Greer finish their seasons at NCAA Championships

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To some, the season ending in such quick fashion for Ohio is a disappointment, especially relative to the expectations entering the season. However, a deeper look into the season paints a different picture. Both Garrett Thompson and Jordan Greer represented Ohio at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia over the weekend. While neither of them became an All-American like Peyten Kellar did last season, the duo proved they could hang with the best in the country. 

At the 174-pound class, the No. 4-seeded Thompson was forced to change his approach just under 24 hours before the start of the tournament. His original opponent, Tyler Brennan of Little Rock, was deemed ineligible after his waiver was denied by the NCAA. That meant Jackson Turley of Rutgers, No. 30 in the original bracket, bumped up a spot with Brennan’s exit, and Thompson would wrestle in the first round. In that bout, Thompson put on display what he had done the entire season in a dominating tech fall early in the second period, a 16-1 victory for Thompson. 

Garrett Thompson in his major decision over Tommy Bennett of NIU.
Garrett Thompson in his major decision over Tommy Bennett of NIU. [HG Biggs | WOUB Public Media]
Thompson would face No. 13 Cade DeVos from South Dakota State in the second round. Thompson had previously defeated DeVos earlier this season at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in December. However, it was DeVos getting his revenge on Thompson on the big stage. DeVos would grind out a 9-3 decision that sent Thompson to the consolation bracket. 

In the consolation bracket, Thompson would face Northern Iowa’s Jared Simma, who Thompson was able to defeat 8-1. His next opponent in the consolation bracket, Nick Incontrera from Penn would end Thompson’s season with an 8-0 major decision. 

Although he entered as the No. 4 seed and expected to become an All-American, Thompson’s season is far from a failure or disappointment. He won more than 30 matches and ripped through the MAC to pick up some personal hardware. Heading into next season, although a change in his weight class is possible, he should be one of the highest-ranked wrestlers in his class. 

Jordan Greer would be seeded No. 20 in the 285-pound class and faced No. 13 Seth Nevills from Maryland for the second consecutive season at NCAAs. Greer dropped the rematch with Nevils 5-0 as he found himself quickly in the consolation ladder. In his second match, Greer was again looking for his first career victory at the NCAA Championships. That quest would not be completed as he lost to Cornell’s No. 29 Ashton Davis, 7-1. Greer’s season and career ended in that moment in unceremonious fashion, but his excellent season that saw him become one of the best heavyweights in recent memory for Ohio. 

The season on the mats is ending for Ohio, but looking towards the next one is nothing short of exciting. Lost in the shuffle of the season was the absence of national qualifiers Zayne Lehman and Sal Perrine for the entire campaign. Kellar missed a large chunk of the year with a shoulder injury. Adding to the already strong roster at the heavyweights next year could be a trio of NCAA Championship-caliber wrestlers. The only question is how the three will slot in with only a single spot truly being vacated. Wyatt Schmid, who got limited action as a true freshman in 2024-25, appears to have the inside track to starting at heavyweight next season. 

Jordan Greer during Ohio’s match against Michigan State. [Joshua Jacob | WOUB Public Media]
Derek Raike should again be the starter at the 149-pound class with Kellar reslotting in at 157. Thompson might be put back down at 165 with Perrine’s return impending. Lehman should return to the 184-pound class and, as a bit of a shocker to some, Jeremy Olszko might move up to the 197-pound class after Austin Starr had a rough season. 

Again, the emphasis will be on the lightweights performing well for the Bobcats. If they want to be unconventional, Raike could, in theory, move down to 141, slotting everyone previously mentioned down by one weight. That, however, seems rather unlikely. Thus, there will have to be answers for the Bobcats at the first trio of weights. 

Ohio will openly not have a large incoming recruiting class next year, so that means the majority of the contributors are already in Athens. Ohio will look to take down budding-rival Central Michigan next season and win its first MAC title since 2001.