2018 Ohio State at Maryland

Nathan Tomasello Set To Return This Weekend

Nathan Tomasello Set To Return This Weekend

On episode 20 of Steelwood Radio, Ohio State coach Tom Ryan announces that Nathan Tomasello will make his season debut against this Friday against Maryland.

Jan 3, 2018 by Wrestling Nomad
Nathan Tomasello Set To Return This Weekend

The only No. 1-ranked wrestler we have yet to see this season has been Nathan Tomasello, Ohio State's three-time All-American and former 125lb NCAA champ.

Buckeyes coach Tom Ryan recently went on Steelwood Radio to discuss several topics but kicked off the show by revealing the date for Tomasello's return from injury. NaTo will be making his season debut this Friday when OSU travels east to take on Maryland at the Xfinity Center in College Park, MD — you can watch that match LIVE on Flo.

"The most ideal situation would be a tournament this weekend, but there’s really nothing to go to that we want him at," Ryan said. "So he’ll wrestle Maryland, and then he will wrestle, likely, against Minnesota based on just how he feels in that dual."

Check out the full episode below.

Two days later, the Buckeyes head to Rutgers for a dual in Piscataway, NJ, but Ryan said Tomasello will not be in the lineup for that meet.

Ryan immediately recognized that there would be questions about why we won't see Tomasello against No. 2-ranked Nick Suriano, a Scarlet Knights sophomore. However, the Ohio State coach, now in his 12th year in Columbus, said it "makes no sense" for Tomasello to compete on Sunday from a "health and preparation" standpoint.

"I coach the student-athletes that are in the room," Ryan said. "We always try to make decisions on what’s best for them and the team and never about the press, and unfortunately sometimes, you know, the fans are going to sacrifice seeing a great match, which we’re looking forward to. I mean, Suriano has had a great year. We know he’s really tough. We’re excited about wrestling him, but it won’t happen this weekend."

WATCH OHIO STATE AT MARYLAND LIVE