Ohio State’s wrestling team has had a remarkable season, scoring two of its six all-time wins over Iowa just this year. Before the 2025-26 season, the Buckeyes stood at 4-44 against the Hawkeyes. But after a 27-12 win in November and a recent 24-9 victory, they’ve shown they can hang with the Big Ten’s best. This is a historic moment, with Ohio State achieving a perfect 17-0 record for the first time ever, all in front of a record crowd of 4,749 at the Covelli Center.
The match started with Iowa taking the lead, winning three straight matches. Victor Voinovich III kicked things off with a 5-1 win over Maddox Shaw at 157 pounds. This was followed by No. 3 Michael Caliendo besting e’Than Birden 8-2, and No. 3 Patrick Kennedy narrowly beating No. 5 Carson Kharchla 2-1.
The tide turned for Ohio State when No. 7 Dylan Fishback faced Gabe Arnold. After a tough match that went to sudden victory, Fishback seemed to score a winning takedown, but it wasn’t initially recognized. Head coach Tom Ryan then challenged the call. A review changed the decision, giving Fishback the points he earned—an emotional moment that ignited the crowd.
184 | No. 7 Dylan Fishback with the sudden victory for @wrestlingbucks pic.twitter.com/pe65VJN7Qn
— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) February 7, 2026
The crowd continued to rally behind Ohio State. No. 10 Luke Geog scored a major decision against Brody Sampson, improving the score to 9-7. After the break, No. 3 Nick Feldman took on No. 8 Ken Kueter. Despite struggling in previous encounters, Feldman clinched a 3-2 decision in a hard-fought match, giving Ohio State its first lead at 10-9.
Next up was Nic Bouzakis, the No. 2-ranked wrestler at 125 pounds. He exploded onto the mat, racking up seven points early against No. 6 Dean Peterson and securing a 9-5 victory. This pushed Ohio State’s lead to 13-9.
Another pivotal match featured No. 2 Ben Davino, who maintained his undefeated streak with a decisive 4-2 win over No. 9 Drake Ayala. With this victory, Ohio State was in a strong position heading into the final matches.
The final two matches showcased Ohio State’s depth. Two-time NCAA champion Jesse Mendez dominated Kale Peterson, winning by tech fall with a score of 18-3, sealing the deal for the Buckeyes. Even as the match came to a close, No. 7 Ethan Stiles clinched the final victory at 149 pounds with a sudden victory takedown, closing out the dual at 24-9.
This match marked Ohio State’s last home competition of the season. The Buckeyes are gearing up to take on Penn State next, a team currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, providing another crucial test for their undefeated record. Ohio State’s performance not only shows their growth but also reflects a renewed excitement around the program, drawing in many fans and boosting team morale. The buzz on social media highlights fans eagerly anticipating these upcoming challenges, keen to see if the Buckeyes can maintain their streak against top-tier competition.
This season exemplifies how far the Buckeyes have come in the wrestling arena. With a mix of fresh talent and experienced wrestlers, they are transforming into a formidable force in college wrestling.
