Kyle Snyder defeated Jake Varner to earn a spot on the U.S. World Team (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)"After discussing this with Coach Ryan and his staff, we are all in agreement this is the best thing for me," said Snyder. "I've always dreamed of competing in the Olympics and to now have the opportunity to chase that goal is exciting. I came to Ohio State because I knew I could get a great education, compete for titles and prepare myself for Olympic-level wrestling. While I will miss wrestling in front of our fans at St. John Arena this season, I look forward to being back and better than ever in 2016-17."
As he makes his run at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Snyder will remain in Columbus and train at the renowned Ohio Regional Training Center along with the likes of former Buckeyes Logan Stieber, J.D. Bergman and Reece Humphrey.
"I have amazing training partners at Ohio RTC and they prepare me every single day to wrestle in big matches," said Snyder. "I couldn't ask for a better environment both on and off the mat."
Snyder has enjoyed a breakthrough summer, as he's earned a victory over 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner in the finals of the U.S. Open championships and topped the 2014 World bronze medalist in Times Square. At the U.S. World Team Trials June 13-14, he defeated Varner twice to win the 97-kilo/213-pound title and punched his ticket to the World Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. Sept. 7-12.
During his freshman season with the Scarlet and Gray last winter, Snyder went 30-4 with a team-high 15 major decisions and two technical falls. He was the Big Ten and NCAA runner up at 197 pounds, finishing 15-1 in the regular season against Big Ten competition that included a 12-match winning streak from Jan. 11-March 8. His victory over defending champion J'den Cox in the 197 lbs. NCAA semifinals was instrumental in helping Ohio State earn its first team national title in school history.
A native of Woodbine, Md., Snyder came to Ohio State as the nation's top-ranked recruit. He went 178-0 at Our Lady of Good Counsel before spending his senior season at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. In August of 2013, he became the youngest American in over 20 years to win a FILA Junior World championship.
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