Episode 35 of Bonus Points features Myles Martin of Ohio State University, 2016 NCAA Division I wrestling champion at 174 pounds.
Martin became just the 15th true freshman to ever win a NCAA individual championship when he defeated top-ranked Bo Nickal of Penn State 11-9 in the NCAA finals held on the big stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y. on March 19, 2016.
On his road to the title as the No. 11 seed, Martin defeated Nicholas Wanzek (Minnesota) 12-4, No. 6 Bryce Hammond (CSU Bakersfield) 5-3, Matt Reed (Oklahoma) 2-0, Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State) 8-2 and No. 1 Bo Nickal (Penn State) 11-9.
Martin was pulled from redshirt in January of this year to compete for the Buckeyes. He owned a 28-6 record on the season entering the NCAA Championships.
Prior to college, Martin was a three-time Maryland state champion, USA Wrestling Junior Nationals champion in freestyle, National Preps champion and two-time Beast of the East champion.
Topics of discussion include his journey to winning the NCAA title as a true freshman, overcoming three regular season losses to Nickal and eventually topping him in the NCAA finals, how the decision to remove his redshirt came about and what it is like to wrestle for Ohio State.
Follow USA Wrestling Bonus Points Ep. 35 guest Myles Martin on Twitter at @Captain_MnM1 and follow show host Richard Immel at @Richard_Immel.
Listen to previous episodes of the show on the USA Wrestling Bonus Points Archives or by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening application.
