Tom Ryan reveals how Ohio State will figure out Sammy Sasso, lineup for postseason at 157, 165

The middle of Tom Ryan’s lineup at Ohio State is up in the air as the No. 8 Buckeyes prepare for the postseason and that includes Sammy Sasso.

On the surface, Sasso would go 157 and Paddy Gallagher at 165 pounds. However, Brandon Cannon got the nod at 157 against Penn State and Brock Herman was in at 165 for Gallagher.

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It seems Gallagher has a better chance at repping the Buckeyes in the postseason at 165, but 157 could have a ripple effect, according to Ryan.

“Well, I mean, for us right now, first thing is to figure out here, 157 and 165 pounds,” Ryan told BTN’s Shane Sparks. “That’s not set yet. Gallagher was out tonight. 157, once we settle that, the loser, they can move up and challenge.” 

All indications now are Sasso and Cannon are up for 157 pounds to rep Ohio State at the Big Ten Tournament. Sasso is currently ranked No. 17 in the country at 157 while Gallagher is No. 9 at 165. The two previously switched weights as Sasso came down following his recovery and return from a gunshot wound in 2023, causing him to miss the entire 2023-24 season.

“So they’re going to Lock Haven Sunday, Sasso and Cannon,” Ryan said. “And then, if we need to, we’ll send them to George Mason the following week to wrestle again and determine who our starter is there. And then either one of them can challenge Paddy up at 65. 

“It’s too late to be doing this, but this, you know, when there’s no, you know, just because you’re running out of time, it doesn’t mean you do things in an unfair manner. You just let the process work out. And you know in this sport you let student athletes settle it. We’re not going to pick who the starter is. Sasso has been a rock here, we’re not going to choose Cannon over him or choose him over Cannon. So, let it all play out.”

Sasso is 12-7 this season at new weights following a career at 149 pounds. After a redshirt campaign, Sasso went 23-3 in 2020 and was a Coaches All-American due to the canceled NCAA Tournament.

Sasso went 16-1 the following season and finished 2nd at 149, losing to North Carolina’s Austin O’Conner 3-2 in the finals. In 2022, he finished 5th at 149 pounds to achieve All-American status for the third straight year.

In 2023, his last year of competition before returning this season, Sasso went 28-3 and was a runner up again, this time losing to Conrell’s Yianni Diakomihalis 4-2. It was the fourth NCAA title for Diakomihalis.

Overall, Sasso is 104-20 in his career and is a four-time All-American.