2023-24 Ohio State Wrestling

Big First Period Launches Ohio State's Nic Bouzakis To Win Over #5 Nagao

Big First Period Launches Ohio State's Nic Bouzakis To Win Over #5 Nagao

It's been a wild first season as a full-time Ohio State wrestling starter for Nic Bouzakis, but he registered a big win Friday night against Penn State.

Feb 3, 2024 by Andy Hamilton
Big First Period Launches Ohio State's Nic Bouzakis To Win Over #5 Nagao

It’s been a wild ride filled with upsets of both varieties for Nic Bouzakis during his first season as a full-time starter at Ohio State, but the freshman is on the upswing once again. 

Bouzakis registered his biggest win yet as a Buckeye, racing out to a big lead early Friday night before hanging on for a 13-10 victory against fifth-ranked Aaron Nagao of Penn State. 

Bouzakis built a 9-2 first-period lead after scoring three takedowns against the returning All-American. Nagao cut into the deficit with a second-period takedown and another in the final minute, but the Penn State sophomore couldn’t avoid the upset. 

The win boosted raised Bouzakis’ 18-6 on the season and came on the heels of a 15-6 major decision loss last week against fourth-ranked Dylan Ragusin of Michigan.