University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, January 23
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
9
vs
29
Ohio State
Players Mentioned
133 lbs.
/ Wrestling
285 lbs.
/ Wrestling
184 lbs.
/ Wrestling
157 lbs.
/ Wrestling
197 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
149 lbs.
/ Wrestling
165 lbs.
/ Wrestling
125 lbs.
/ Wrestling
141 lbs.
/ Wrestling
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers Brought Down by Buckeyes
1/23/2026 8:33:00 PM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS – No. 7 Minnesota (7-4, 1-2 B1G) was bested by No. 2 Ohio State (13-0, 2-0 B1G) Friday night in a 29-9 setback at Maturi Pavilion.
The Golden Gophers won three of four matches between 165 and 197, but the Buckeyes won seven of the 10 bouts overall to claim their second win of the season over the Maroon and Gold.
Ohio State, which won the November meeting at the National Duals Invitational, took all five matches before intermission Friday, building a 20-0 lead. The Buckeyes got wins by decision at 125, 149 and 157, picked up a fall at 133 and recorded a tech fall at 141.
Minnesota got on the scoreboard in the first match after the break as No. 11 Andrew Sparks topped No. 18 Paddy Gallagher. Escapes for both wrestlers had the match even at 1-1 into the third period. With less than 90 seconds remaining, Sparks went for a low double takedown and executed it to take a 4-1 lead. Gallagher escaped but couldn't get any closer as Sparks picked up the 4-2 decision. He moves to 13-3 on the year, 7-2 in duals and 1-1 in the Big Ten .
After a tech fall win for Ohio State at 174 pounds, Minnesota picked up back-to-back wins in overtime as No. 4 Max McEnelly faced No. 5 Dylan Fishback at 184 and No. 30 Gavin Nelson took on Seth Shumate at 197. Both matches were tied at 1-1 through regulation and both saw the Gopher wrestlers secure the wins in sudden victory.
McEnelly got his victory off a re-attack. After a shot attempt from Fishback, McEnelly grabbed his right leg and secured the takedown after a roll-through for his second 4-1, overtime win over Fishback this season. McEnelly improves his record to 12-1 on the season, 10-1 in duals and 3-0 in the Big Ten. For his career, McEnelly is 4-2 against top-five opponents.
For Nelson, he picked up his first career conference win off a defensive effort of his own. With less than a minute left in sudden victory, Shumate ducked under but Nelson thwarted the takedown and grabbed hold of Shumate's left leg. Nelson got Shumate standing on one leg and prevented a kickout as he took him down, snapping a five-match losing skid.
Ohio State closed out the dual at heavyweight with a major decision.
Minnesota closes out its three-match homestand Sunday with a visit from No. 26 Wisconsin (10-1, 2-1 B1G). Match time is set for 1 p.m. on Big Ten Plus.
Match Results
#2 Ohio State 29, #7 Minnesota 9
Jan. 23, 2026 | Minneapolis | Maturi Pavilion | Attendance: 2,775
125: Vincent Kilkeary (OSU) dec. #9 Jore Volk, 4-1 SV1 | MINN 0, OSU 3
133: #2 Ben Davino (OSU) fall Chris Cannon, 2:52 | MINN 0, OSU 9
141: #1 Jesse Mendez (OSU) TF #9 Vance VomBaur, 21-5 5:58 | MINN 0, OSU 14
149: #4 Ethan Stiles (OSU) dec. #23 Drew Roberts, 6-0 | MINN 0, OSU 17
157: #1 Brandon Cannon (OSU) dec. #21 Charlie Millard, 12-6 | MINN 0, OSU 20
165: #11 Andrew Sparks dec. #18 Paddy Gallagher (OSU), 4-2 | MINN 3, OSU 20
174: #4 Carson Kharchla (OSU) TF #24 Ethan Riddle, 19-4 6:59 | MINN 3, OSU 25
184: #4 Max McEnelly dec. #5 Dylan Fishback (OSU), 4-1 SV1 | MINN 6, OSU 25
197: #30 Gavin Nelson dec. Seth Shumate (OSU), 4-1 SV1 | MINN 9, OSU 25
285: #3 Nick Feldman (OSU) MD #10 Koy Hopke, 11-2 | MINN 9, OSU 29
The Golden Gophers won three of four matches between 165 and 197, but the Buckeyes won seven of the 10 bouts overall to claim their second win of the season over the Maroon and Gold.
Ohio State, which won the November meeting at the National Duals Invitational, took all five matches before intermission Friday, building a 20-0 lead. The Buckeyes got wins by decision at 125, 149 and 157, picked up a fall at 133 and recorded a tech fall at 141.
Minnesota got on the scoreboard in the first match after the break as No. 11 Andrew Sparks topped No. 18 Paddy Gallagher. Escapes for both wrestlers had the match even at 1-1 into the third period. With less than 90 seconds remaining, Sparks went for a low double takedown and executed it to take a 4-1 lead. Gallagher escaped but couldn't get any closer as Sparks picked up the 4-2 decision. He moves to 13-3 on the year, 7-2 in duals and 1-1 in the Big Ten .
After a tech fall win for Ohio State at 174 pounds, Minnesota picked up back-to-back wins in overtime as No. 4 Max McEnelly faced No. 5 Dylan Fishback at 184 and No. 30 Gavin Nelson took on Seth Shumate at 197. Both matches were tied at 1-1 through regulation and both saw the Gopher wrestlers secure the wins in sudden victory.
McEnelly got his victory off a re-attack. After a shot attempt from Fishback, McEnelly grabbed his right leg and secured the takedown after a roll-through for his second 4-1, overtime win over Fishback this season. McEnelly improves his record to 12-1 on the season, 10-1 in duals and 3-0 in the Big Ten. For his career, McEnelly is 4-2 against top-five opponents.
For Nelson, he picked up his first career conference win off a defensive effort of his own. With less than a minute left in sudden victory, Shumate ducked under but Nelson thwarted the takedown and grabbed hold of Shumate's left leg. Nelson got Shumate standing on one leg and prevented a kickout as he took him down, snapping a five-match losing skid.
Ohio State closed out the dual at heavyweight with a major decision.
Minnesota closes out its three-match homestand Sunday with a visit from No. 26 Wisconsin (10-1, 2-1 B1G). Match time is set for 1 p.m. on Big Ten Plus.
Match Results
#2 Ohio State 29, #7 Minnesota 9
Jan. 23, 2026 | Minneapolis | Maturi Pavilion | Attendance: 2,775
125: Vincent Kilkeary (OSU) dec. #9 Jore Volk, 4-1 SV1 | MINN 0, OSU 3
133: #2 Ben Davino (OSU) fall Chris Cannon, 2:52 | MINN 0, OSU 9
141: #1 Jesse Mendez (OSU) TF #9 Vance VomBaur, 21-5 5:58 | MINN 0, OSU 14
149: #4 Ethan Stiles (OSU) dec. #23 Drew Roberts, 6-0 | MINN 0, OSU 17
157: #1 Brandon Cannon (OSU) dec. #21 Charlie Millard, 12-6 | MINN 0, OSU 20
165: #11 Andrew Sparks dec. #18 Paddy Gallagher (OSU), 4-2 | MINN 3, OSU 20
174: #4 Carson Kharchla (OSU) TF #24 Ethan Riddle, 19-4 6:59 | MINN 3, OSU 25
184: #4 Max McEnelly dec. #5 Dylan Fishback (OSU), 4-1 SV1 | MINN 6, OSU 25
197: #30 Gavin Nelson dec. Seth Shumate (OSU), 4-1 SV1 | MINN 9, OSU 25
285: #3 Nick Feldman (OSU) MD #10 Koy Hopke, 11-2 | MINN 9, OSU 29
Coach's Corner with Brandon Eggum
Thursday, January 22
Highlights: Gophers 12, Nebraska 20
Friday, January 16
Coach's Corner with Brandon Eggum
Thursday, January 15
Highlights: Gophers 27, Illinois 9
Saturday, January 10