Martin, who is 18-2 so far this season wrestling unattached in open tournaments, came to Ohio State as the nation's top-ranked recruit at 182 pounds and was the No. 3 pound for pound prospect by Flowrestling. He will wrestle at 174 pounds this season for the No. 6 Buckeyes.
“We're excited to see Myles compete in the varsity line up,†said Ryan, the 2015 National Coach of the Year. “He is an elite recruit and the past six months I have witnessed his world class work ethic. He will have a significant impact in our lineup. He is selfless and we expect big things from him at 174 pounds.â€
“My training partners in the practice room and coaches have prepared me for this and I couldn't be more excited,†said Martin. “I came to Ohio State because I knew I'd be around people who would push me to be better, to reach my full potential – and that's exactly what's happened. I'm ready to help this team in any and every way that I can.â€
Included in Martin's resume this year are titles at the Eastern Michigan Open, Findlay Open and a second place showing at the Penn State Open. Thirteen of his 18 wins have come via bonus points (six tech falls, five falls, two major decisions). On his way to his Findlay Open title, Martin had pins in the first and second rounds before winning his final three matches by a combined score of 52-6 (all tech falls). At Eastern Michigan, he went 5-0 with a pin, tech fall and major decision before edging Indiana's Nate Jackson, a NCAA qualifier last year, 7-5 in the championship match.
Martin, a Penns Grove, N.J. native, comes to the Buckeyes from the McDonogh School, where he was a four-time national prep finalist and junior freestyle national champion. Martin twice won the Beast of the East Tournament and placed first at the 2014 National Preps. He went 46-1 as a junior with 25 pins in leading McDonough to a triple crown: the MIAA dual meet title, tournament title and MIS wrestling team title. In his final two high school seasons, Martin was 92-2. He won 171 matches over his four-year career.
True freshmen making a major impact in Ohio State's lineup in not uncommon. Under Ryan, the Buckeyes have produced five true freshmen All-Americans -- JD Bergman, Lance Palmer, Cam Tessari, Hunter Stieber and Kyle Snyder. Snyder's run to the 197-pound NCAA finals last March was key in Ohio State's first-ever team national title.
Ohio State's match at Illinois on Sunday can be seen live on FightingIllini.com (subscription required). The Illini feature sixth-ranked Zac Brunson (13-0) at 174 lbs.
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