Springing an upset on two separate occasions over two top-five opponents will tend to get a guy recognized. And that’s exactly what Ohio State wrestler Sammy Sasso did over the past week.
The biggest of those was last Friday when Sasso faced off with the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the 149 lb. weight class, Pat Lugo. He had to scramble and thwart numerous shots by Lugo but was able to keep things even into OT and then into a tiebreaker where his effort and tenacity allowed him to ride out Lugo and secure a one-point win.
But Sasso wasn’t finished. He then had to matchup with the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the weight class, Minnesota’s Brayton Lee. He again showed his defensive skills and finished with a last-second, persevering, technical takedown to secure a 4-2 victory.
For all of his dramatics and big wins this week, Sasso received both the Big Ten and USA Wrestling wrestler of the week honors.
The 149 lb. weight class appears to be in good hands for the foreseeable future because Sasso is just a freshman and should only continue to get better.
With what we’re seeing so far this year, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he arrives early, makes All-American and has a shot at a national title at this point.
