Wisconsin falls at No. 2 Ohio State

Friday, January 30

Columbus, OH

5:00 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Ohio State

Wisconsin falls at No. 2 Ohio State

January 30, 2026 | Wrestling

Badgers handed a loss by the Buckeyes

By: Aliza Manekia

COLUMBUS, Ohio. - Wisconsin wrestling fell, 30-10 to No. 2 Ohio State on Friday, Jan 30. The Badgers put points on the board early and held the lead at intermission before Ohio State pulled ahead in the second half to remain undefeated on the season.

Wisconsin set the tone at 125 pounds, as Nicolar Rivera earned the Badgers' first points of the night with a decision over Vinny Kilkeary.

At 149 pounds, Joseph Zargo delivered a standout performance for Wisconsin. Zargo tied the bout late in the third period with a takedown before securing another in sudden victory to upset No. 4 Ethan Stiles. Luke Mechler followed with a strong showing at 157, scoring multiple takedowns and adding the Badgers' first bonus points of the night to push Wisconsin in front on the team scoreboard.

Ohio State responded after the break, picking up bonus points in four of the final five bouts to close out the win.

Wisconsin Results
Wisconsin 10, Ohio State 30
No. 16 Nicolar Rivera over Vinny Kilkeary, Dec. 12-7
No. 2 Ben Davino over No. 11 Zan Fugitt, Dec. 702
No. 1 Jesse Mendez over Carson Exferd, Fall 0:51
No. 15 Joseph Zargo over No. 4 Ethan Stiles, SV-1 7-4
No.26 Luke Mechler over Landon Desselle, Major Dec. 20-9
e'Than Birden over No. 24 Cody Goebel, Major Dec. 16-3
No. 5 Carson Kharchila over Luke Condon, Tech. Fall 17-2
No. 7 Dylan Fishback over David Malin, Tech. Fall 15-0
No. 10 Luke Geog over No. 28 Wyatt Ingham, Major Dec. 17-3
No. 3 Nick Feldman over No. 9 Braxton Amos, Dec. 6-4

Up Next: Wisconsin continues its road trip with a dual at Purdue on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 12 p.m. on B1G+.