COLUMBUS, Ohio – Although it wasn’t for the actual title, it nonetheless felt good when Buckeye Colt Sponseller’s (165) hand was raised in acknowledgement of victory over Iowa’s Ryan Morningstar in the semifinals of the 2010 Big Ten Wrestling Championships Saturday in Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich.

A junior from Glenmont, Ohio, Sponseller will be joined by teammates Reece Humphrey (141) and Lance Palmer (149) in all three wrestlers’ quests for their first conference titles. And not only is this trio seeking individual titles, but the Buckeyes are in the running for an impressive team finish also as they moved to third in the standings with 86 points. Iowa continues to lead the 11-team contingent with 137 points, while Minnesota is second (104.5).

The third and final session will begin at noon Sunday with the consolation semifinals and seventh-place matches. At 2:05 p.m., the fifth and third-place bouts will commence, as well as the finals. The championship rounds will air live on the Big Ten Network at 2:05 p.m.

Sponseller (165), who was 0-3 against Morningstar before Saturday, had suffered 2-1, 4-2 and 1-0 losses to the Hawkeye in back-to-back postseason meetings at the Big Ten and NCAA championships in 2009 and most recently in dual action Feb. 19 in Iowa City. However, Saturday would prove to be a different story with the Buckeye’s 3-1 victory. As neither wrestler scored in the first period, Morningstar recorded the lone point in the second with an escape. Down 1-0, Sponseller, the No. 3 seed, scored a reversal early in the third period and along with riding time secured his chance for a conference title. It won’t be easy though. Sponseller will face No. 1 seed Andrew Howe of Wisconsin.

It will be No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the final at 141 pounds as Humphrey will battle No. 2 Mike Thorn of Minnesota Sunday. In his second match of the day, the Buckeye from Indianapolis, Ind., earned his 29th win of the season on a 14-4 major decision over Penn State’s Adam Lynch. It will be Humphrey’s second consecutive year in a Big Ten final. Last season, he was the runner-up at 133 pounds.

Palmer will attempt to cap his Big Ten career as a conference champion. A native of Columbia Station, Ohio, Palmer finished third in 2007 and 2009. The No. 2 seed, Palmer was able to redeem one of his two regular-season setbacks in the semifinals against Wisconsin’s Kyle Ruschell with a 2-1 decision. The Buckeye hopes he can make amends for his second regular-season loss in yet another matchup against Iowa’s and No. 1 seed Brent Metcalf Sunday. Palmer has never beaten Metcalf in four career meetings.

Related posts:

1. No. 4/3 Buckeyes Lose to No. 1 Iowa, 32-3
2. WR: Buckeyes Set 2009-10 Schedule
3. Lance Palmer Earns Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Honors
4. Big Ten Network to Showcase Buckeye Wrestling Matches in 2009-10
5. Ohio State Heads Into D-I Final Day In First