Feb. 14, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio - The Bobcat wrestling team will play host to West Virginia and North Carolina on Friday night at the Convocation Center for their last home duals of the season. Ohio will travel to Central Michigan next weekend before beginning the MAC Tournament on March 7.

West Virginia competes in the Eastern Wrestling League, a wrestling only conference including many members of the Big East. North Carolina is a member of the ACC and will be the fifth Atlantic Coast Conference competitor the Bobcats have faced in the 2007-08 season (Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech and NC State).

Ohio's Clay Tucker will look to continue his winning streak against the Mountaineers and Tarheels. The sophomore from Martins Ferry, Ohio has won six straight dual matches dating back to a Jan. 11, 2007 victory against Duquesne at the Virginia Duals.

In that span Tucker has defeated three MAC opponents and currently holds a 3-1 conference record with his lone loss to Eastern Michigan while still competing at 149 pounds. Tucker moved to 157 pounds following his defeat at EMU.

Seniors Honored

The Bobcats will recognize seniors Ryan Knapp and Caleb Metcalf prior to tonight's duals for their four-year commitment and dedication to Ohio wrestling.

Knapp currently holds a 17-43 record for his career and will graduate at the end of the year with a degree in recreation management.

A serious neck injury ended Metcalf's career at the beginning of last season but the 125 pound competitor built a 30-37 record prior to his junior year. He will graduate in the spring with a degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management.

Probable Ohio Starters

Weight    Name                         Class               Hometown                     Record

125        Heath Allen                 Freshman         Bellefontaine, Ohio         1-21

133        Quentin Keyes            Sophomore      Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio      9-11

141        Germane Lindsey        Freshman         Cincinnati, Ohio              15-12

149        Kevin Christensen       Sophomore      Springfield, Ohio            8-12

157        Clay Tucker                Sophomore      Martins Ferry, Ohio         12-14

165        Kent Smith                 Sophomore      Bowling Green, Ohio       6-10

174        Ryan Knapp                Senior             McConnelsville, Ohio       1-10

184        Erik Schuth                 Freshman         Spencerport, N.Y.           9-14

197        Chris Iammarino         Freshman         Lyndhurst, Ohio              8-17

HWT       Jason Marshall            Sophomore      West Liberty, Ohio          7-15

Probable West Virginia Starters

Weight    Name                         Class               Hometown                     Record

 125       Kyle Turnbull              Junior              Morgantown, W.Va.        5-4 

133        Jared Garvin               Junior              Morgantown, W.Va.        3-3

141        Stephen Waite            Freshman         Waterford, Pa.               2-4

149        David Jauregui            Junior              Santa Ana, Calif.            8-6

157        Zac Fryling                 Senior             Lansdale, Pa.                 9-5

165        Donnie Jones              Sophomore      Slickville, Pa.                 7-7

174        Chance Litton              Junior              Parkersburg, W.Va.        11-4

184        Kurt Brenner               Junior              Freedom, Pa.                 11-3

197        #14 Jared Villers         Senior             Akron, Ohio                   14-2

HWT       #20 Dustin Rogers      Senior             Corning, Calif.               7-4

Probable West Virginia Starters

Weight    Name                         Class               Hometown                     Record

125        Jay Adamson              Freshman         Dalton, Ga.                    1-3

133        Danny Lopes               Sophomore      Oakhurst, N.J.                12-12

141        Nick Stabile                Freshman         Lenharstville, Pa.            18-5

149        Vincent Ramirez          Junior              Durham, N.C.                12-11

157        Thomas Scotton          Freshman         Willingboro, N.J.             15-6

165        #11 Keegan Mueller    Junior              Dallas, Texas                 23-3

174        Kyle Kiss                    Freshman         Loch Arbour, N.J.            15-12

184        Nick Tenpenny            Freshman         Bayville, N.J.                  12-10

197        Dennis Drury              Sophomore      Jenkintown, Pa.              15-10

HWT       Justin Dobies              Junior              Garfield Heights, Ohio     23-6

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Joe Waltasti is the wrestling contact for the Ohio Media Relations department. He can be reached via email at waltasti@ohio.edu.