FINAL RESULTS

ADA, Ohio – The Otterbein wrestling team kicked off Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action with a nice dual victory Tuesday night, using a final result of 27-15 and defeating host Ohio Northern for the first time since returning as a program.

The Cardinals, now 2-2 overall, will finish out the week down south by traveling to Salem, Va. for a quartet of dual matches.

Otterbein jumped out to a quick lead against the Polar Bears and never looked back, beginning with a low-scoring 5-3 decision win from Jackson Lakso in the opening bout. The junior is currently ranked No. 12 in the nation.

Freshman Ryan Jakubiak collected a forfeit victory in the next class, followed by junior Santino DiSabato emerging with a hard-fought 4-1 decision and extending Otterbein's lead up to 12-0. Ohio Northern settled in and responded to eventually tie the contest at 15-15 overall, getting three victories sandwiched around a 165-pound win from Cardinal newcomer Zach Altman.

It would be all Otterbein down the stretch, with Jarrod Setliff (184) and Corbin Bunsold (197) securing timely decision wins before a 34-second pin from new heavyweight Drew Kasper punctuated the evening. Kasper, also nationally ranked, remains unbeaten at a perfect 4-0 alongside Lakso and Bunsold.

"We left Ohio Northern last year decimated with injuries and swallowing one of the worst defeats I can remember," said head coach Brent Rastetter about last season's 48-0 loss. "Tonight we leave with a huge victory and with a group of kids that absolutely came to battle. I am extremely proud of our effort."

The Cardinals will have four duals Saturday inside the Salem Civic Center with head-to-head showdowns against Wilkes, Southern Virginia, Ferrum and Greensboro.