University Park–
Update (5:54 p.m.)— No. 2 Nic Bouzakis will go for Ohio State tonight. No. 6 Ethan Stiles will not, per Ohio State’s official lineup.
Penn State wrestling fans already knew Ohio State would be shorthanded coming into Friday’s showdown at the Bryce Jordan Center.
But now the Buckeyes will have even less of their projected lineup available.
At 174, the projected matchup was No. 1 Levi Haines (Penn State) vs. No. 5 Carson Kharchla (Ohio State).
But per Evan Smith of the Daily Collegian and additional reports, Kharchala, who suffered an injury in last Friday’s win over Iowa, is now out for the matchup.
Haines is now expected to wrestle T.J. Schierl. Schierl has been used mainly at 157 but would be moving up.
Additionally, we still don’t know if Ohio State’s Nic Bouzakis, ranked No. 2 in the country at 125 pounds, will compete after suffering a lower back injury against Iowa. If Bouzakis does wrestle, he’d be facing No. 1 Luke Lilledahl in what could be a preview of future matchups at the Big Ten and NCAA Championships next month.
Fans have known for days that Ohio State would be without Brandon Cannon. Cannon is the No. 1 wrestler in the country at 157 pounds.
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Cannon is still healing from a knee injury suffered in late January against Minnesota.
But with Kharchala out and Bouzakis’ status in jeopardy, Ohio State’s chances of keeping the dual meet close seem slim.
If Bouzakis can’t go, Lilledahl would take on either Brendan McCrone or Vinny Kilkeary.
Lilledahl would have a good chance at a bonus point win in this scenario. The same goes for Haines and PJ Duke (157), who would both be facing unranked competition as well.
No. 1 Penn State vs. No. 2 Ohio State is scheduled to begin at 7 on the Big Ten Network.
