- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,195,674
- Reaction score
- 59
STILLWATER — Sold out for several days and set to be broadcast on ESPN, the Oklahoma State vs. Iowa wrestling dual arrives Sunday with the teams navigating very different seasons.
Third-ranked Oklahoma State hosts the seventh-ranked Hawkeyes at 5 p.m. Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in the 60th edition of college wrestling’s most storied rivalry.
Iowa defeated OSU 18-16 when the teams met in November at the National Duals Invitational, but from there, the teams’ respective seasons have gone quite differently.
OSU is undefeated in duals, added Jax Forrest to the lineup at 133 pounds, and with a freshman-heavy lineup has been on the incline while rising from fifth to third in the rankings.
Iowa, on the other hand, has battled injuries and unexplained attrition, falling from third to eighth before climbing back up a spot to seventh in the latest coaches’ rankings.
But the dual hasn’t lost any of its usual flavor, with multiple matchups of highly ranked wrestlers expected.
Here’s a look at a few of the key storylines:
More: Which Oklahoma State freshmen wrestlers could have biggest impact on dual vs Iowa?
The most anticipated match of the dual, fourth-ranked Caliendo meets second-ranked Lockett for the second time this season.
Lockett pulled off a tight decision at the National Duals and remained undefeated all season.
Caliendo, on the other hand, picked up two more losses but still has his sights set on pursuing a national title after a runner-up finish last year.
Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink is the reigning champ and top of the weight class, but this match will impact the race to be the top challenger.
In terms of schedule strength, it’s hard to imagine anyone with a better ranking than Facundo, OSU’s 174-pounder.
Currently ranked seventh at the weight, he’s set to face third-ranked Patrick Kennedy from Iowa.
This will mark Facundo’s 11th match against a wrestler ranked in the top 13. He started 0-3 in those matches, including the 4-1 sudden-victory loss to Kennedy at the National Duals.
However, Facundo is 6-1 in those matches since, and has maintained a No. 7 ranking while Kennedy comes in at No. 3.
This is one of two matches where Iowa has a higher ranking, but one of five that would be considered toss-up matches. A win by Facundo would go a long way toward sealing the dual for OSU.
Forrest, the OSU freshman who is 9-0 since joining the team in January, is coming off his biggest win of the season, 10-9 over No. 6 Aaron Seidel of Virginia Tech. Forrest rose to No. 6 in the rankings this week, his highest yet.
Now, Forrest draws Iowa’s Drake Ayala, who was the NCAA runner-up at 133 pounds last year.
Ayala hasn’t had a spectacular year, ranked ninth with a 9-6 record, including a sudden-victory win over OSU’s Ronnie Ramirez in November.
So after a string of dominant wins, Forrest will get a second consecutive serious test ahead of the postseason.
What could have been a sixth matchup of top-10 wrestlers might instead be a pair of injury backups.
Iowa’s second-ranked Angelo Ferrari hasn’t wrestled in a month since suffering an injury against Penn State. OSU’s ninth-ranked Zack Ryder has missed the last three duals with a shoulder injury.
OSU coach David Taylor didn’t give anything away regarding his plans between Ryder and backup Trevor Dopps, who is 0-3 in the dual lineup. Iowa appears likely to go with redshirt sophomore Gabe Arnold, who has filled in at multiple weight classes this season.
OSU began a new tradition this year with a famous figure donning a Cowboy hat and leading the team’s pre-match walk from the locker room to the mat.
For the Iowa dual, former Cowboy and UFC star Daniel Cormier will do the honors.
“Obviously, Daniel’s a legend here at Oklahoma State,” Taylor said. “He’s gone on to be legendary afterwards. He understands what it’s like to come back and be a part of this. We’re excited.
“I think it’ll be a really cool thing, and we’re excited for him to walk us out.”
Previously this season, OSU legend John Smith, new quarterback Drew Mestemaker, UFC fighter Diego Lopes and world champion wrestler Zahid Valencia have led the Cowboys out.
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU vs Iowa wrestling: Five storylines for 60th Cowboys-Hawkeyes clash
Continue reading...
Third-ranked Oklahoma State hosts the seventh-ranked Hawkeyes at 5 p.m. Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in the 60th edition of college wrestling’s most storied rivalry.
Iowa defeated OSU 18-16 when the teams met in November at the National Duals Invitational, but from there, the teams’ respective seasons have gone quite differently.
OSU is undefeated in duals, added Jax Forrest to the lineup at 133 pounds, and with a freshman-heavy lineup has been on the incline while rising from fifth to third in the rankings.
Iowa, on the other hand, has battled injuries and unexplained attrition, falling from third to eighth before climbing back up a spot to seventh in the latest coaches’ rankings.
But the dual hasn’t lost any of its usual flavor, with multiple matchups of highly ranked wrestlers expected.
Here’s a look at a few of the key storylines:
More: Which Oklahoma State freshmen wrestlers could have biggest impact on dual vs Iowa?
Will Mikey Caliendo get revenge on OSU’s Dee Lockett?
The most anticipated match of the dual, fourth-ranked Caliendo meets second-ranked Lockett for the second time this season.
Lockett pulled off a tight decision at the National Duals and remained undefeated all season.
Caliendo, on the other hand, picked up two more losses but still has his sights set on pursuing a national title after a runner-up finish last year.
Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink is the reigning champ and top of the weight class, but this match will impact the race to be the top challenger.
OSU’s Alex Facundo gets another top opponent
In terms of schedule strength, it’s hard to imagine anyone with a better ranking than Facundo, OSU’s 174-pounder.
Currently ranked seventh at the weight, he’s set to face third-ranked Patrick Kennedy from Iowa.
This will mark Facundo’s 11th match against a wrestler ranked in the top 13. He started 0-3 in those matches, including the 4-1 sudden-victory loss to Kennedy at the National Duals.
However, Facundo is 6-1 in those matches since, and has maintained a No. 7 ranking while Kennedy comes in at No. 3.
This is one of two matches where Iowa has a higher ranking, but one of five that would be considered toss-up matches. A win by Facundo would go a long way toward sealing the dual for OSU.
You must be registered for see images
Jax Forrest gets another tough test
Forrest, the OSU freshman who is 9-0 since joining the team in January, is coming off his biggest win of the season, 10-9 over No. 6 Aaron Seidel of Virginia Tech. Forrest rose to No. 6 in the rankings this week, his highest yet.
Now, Forrest draws Iowa’s Drake Ayala, who was the NCAA runner-up at 133 pounds last year.
Ayala hasn’t had a spectacular year, ranked ninth with a 9-6 record, including a sudden-victory win over OSU’s Ronnie Ramirez in November.
So after a string of dominant wins, Forrest will get a second consecutive serious test ahead of the postseason.
Who wrestles at 184 pounds?
What could have been a sixth matchup of top-10 wrestlers might instead be a pair of injury backups.
Iowa’s second-ranked Angelo Ferrari hasn’t wrestled in a month since suffering an injury against Penn State. OSU’s ninth-ranked Zack Ryder has missed the last three duals with a shoulder injury.
OSU coach David Taylor didn’t give anything away regarding his plans between Ryder and backup Trevor Dopps, who is 0-3 in the dual lineup. Iowa appears likely to go with redshirt sophomore Gabe Arnold, who has filled in at multiple weight classes this season.
You must be registered for see images attach
Daniel Cormier to lead Cowboys out
OSU began a new tradition this year with a famous figure donning a Cowboy hat and leading the team’s pre-match walk from the locker room to the mat.
For the Iowa dual, former Cowboy and UFC star Daniel Cormier will do the honors.
“Obviously, Daniel’s a legend here at Oklahoma State,” Taylor said. “He’s gone on to be legendary afterwards. He understands what it’s like to come back and be a part of this. We’re excited.
“I think it’ll be a really cool thing, and we’re excited for him to walk us out.”
Previously this season, OSU legend John Smith, new quarterback Drew Mestemaker, UFC fighter Diego Lopes and world champion wrestler Zahid Valencia have led the Cowboys out.
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU vs Iowa wrestling: Five storylines for 60th Cowboys-Hawkeyes clash
Continue reading...
