“We’ve had a good season so far, so we’re trying to keep this momentum going,” Osterman said. “We’re 7-1 right now. We’ve had some lumps in the lineup, so we’re still trying to figure out that and just really try to go off of those wins and keep building.”

Those lumps include the Spartans (7-1, 0-1) losing junior 157-pounder David Cheza to a “severe” shoulder injury, and head coach Tom Minkel said he’ll be out for the remainder of the season.

The loss of its No. 17 wrestler hit the Spartan lineup hard but opened doors for the younger wrestlers.

Things only became more complicated when former Spartan sophomore 133-pounder Josh Harper left the team this season, leaving MSU without another key wrestler.

“We were without two starters, so that’s hard to fill,” Minkel said.
However, Minkel said he’s made some necessary changes to his lineup to help the Spartans defeat the Mountaineers and Buckeyes.

Specifically in the upper weight classes, MSU should be able to rely on its more experienced wrestlers to lead the team on the road this weekend. As the only nationally ranked team members, junior 197-pounder Tyler Dickenson sits at No. 19, while redshirt freshman heavyweight Mike McClure is at No. 16.

Minkel noted other strengths in his lineup including Osterman, senior 165-pounder Ben Boudro, junior 174-pounder Curran Jacobs and junior 184-pounder Ian Hinton, who all have been performing well this season.

But to take down both opponents this weekend, Dickenson said MSU’s recent obstacles have created a bonding experience and add to its determination.

“It’s bringing us together in a way because we know we have got to step up,” he said. “The people who have a little experience need to step up and perform as well as they can.”

Despite not performing up to expectations, the Spartans said Ohio State has a reputation for competing well and still will be a challenge.

Standing out, the Buckeyes have three wrestlers ranked nationally: No. 16 Ian Paddock at 133 pounds, No. 9 Colt Sponseller at 165 pounds and No. 14 Nick Heflin at 174 pounds. MSU recognized Ohio State as always being a tough competitor, but the team has a few strategies to employ.

“We need to push the pace in the matches,” Osterman said. “I think that we need to use our conditioning and just push the pace and try to break our opponents and just try to go with that — just try to let fatigue set in and use that to our advantage.”

In addition to breaking both opponents early, Dickenson said with all of the changes in the lineup, all the team expects is for everyone to maintain a solid focus and wrestle up to what’s expected.

“Now, especially with less experience, we expect 100 percent,” he said.

“As long as we’re giving that, then we’re happy and we’ll do the best we can.”