Since the Big 12 tournament was completely full of nothing but just complete dominance by Oklahoma State, so a combined recap and preview seemed much more ideal. I will do each wrestler and weight class individually, very quick thoughts, and what each wrestler has to do to improve Oklahoma State’s chances at winning it’s 35th national championship.

125 – Klimara is the MAN! Anybody that has following wrestling this season should know that this true freshman is going to have a magical ending to this season. I mean, name one match this season that he truly lost…I’m not talking on the scoreboard…but a match where he just had no chance at winning? None! He is the dark horse on this team. Expect big things!

133 – Morrison has every ability in the world to win himself an NCAA title this year, but he just needs to find it within himself to go out there and attack like we know he can. If he dances like he is usually susceptible to, he could end up low on the podium…if that.

141 – We won’t know if Feikert is even in the tournament until the brackets come out, but my guess is he won’t be in the tourney, and those are crucial points that I’m sure we may need when it comes down to it.

149 – Honestly, anything short of a third (you know what I mean) national championship for Jordan Oliver and frankly, him raising the Hodge Trophy (Heisman) would be a disappointment. There are some good wrestlers in this weight class, but come on…

157 – I don’t know why, but my infatuation with Alex Dieringer might challenge Kyle and his bromance for Markel Brown. This kid figured it out early and has really been super dominant this year. As a freshman he had a setback or two, but he has learned from these and expect him to make some real damage. One of the best wrestlers this school has ever seen.

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1. Well, let’s all take a moment to reflect on this weekend in one word… My word would be “humbling.” From the first match on Friday to the last match today, the entire weekend was humbling for the Cowboys.

2. The difference, however, is that Oklahoma State is no doubt wrestling the toughest schedule in the nation. We have wrestled every team that means something this season, and we have been able to win every single one.

3. Remember when I said I would be surprised if Chionuma or Rosholt lose again until the Big 12’s? I’m surprised!

4. Iowa State has looked good this entire year; I knew that they were going to be one of the toughest tests for the Cowboys this season. Surprisingly ISU is not ranked very high nationally, but they will surprise people this year.

5. I wouldn’t think too much about any of the matches that happened this weekend. If this funk continues on through the national duals, we are going to have some things to worry about.

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1. I have been waiting for this dual for the entire season, and it went much differently (basically exactly the opposite) than I had thought it would, but Missouri had opportunities to beat Oklahoma State, but the Pokes showed just how strong and deep the entire team is.

2. Klimara is wrestling out of his mind as a true freshman. He has consistently wrestled the top guys in the nation, and has consistently been in the matches…iron sharpens iron.

3. The reason this match was half as bad as it was is because of injuries. With Oliver limping with a foot injury, and Morrison in his first match back from his injury, the dual was potentially much closer than it should have been.

4. And Rex Holt….”There are 16,000, wait, did they say 6,000 in attendance?” Rex, does it look like an Oklahoma State basketball game, or a Kansas basketball game? There’s your answer!

5. We as fans have to be pretty content with what we have seen this year, and we pretty much know exactly what to expect from the team for the rest of the season, and in regards to Penn State, that’s scary.

6. I don’t know about you, but I saw a loss coming for Chris Perry. Something about him just doesn’t scream undefeated to me. Not saying he won’t win a national championship, but to go undefeated in a full season in college wrestling is tough, very few do it.

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No. 2 Oklahoma State 26, No. 17 Pittsburgh 14

1. It was great to see Klimara score from neutral, and to look offensive in his match. Only a true freshman, points from him at NCAA’s would be key.

2. Dorrell and Feikert did not put up much of a fight. I’m not too sure anybody really knows the status of Morrison, but he is vital to the Pokes’ success.

3. Oliver has been trying to work on his mat wrestling and certainly had the chance to today. He would have liked to get the pin, but remember, these guys are big.

4. Dieringer…I’m telling you, he’s becoming an all-time great. If you are looking for a favorite wrestler for the next four years…pick him.

5. I think we can all be happy with Caldwell, as long as he beats everyone! At least you know what you are going to get from him!

6. Chris Perry keeps working to score big points, and he has plenty of time for the season to get a pin move that works from top. I guarantee you that is all he thinks about at night.

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Vitals

Start: 4:00 PM
Location: Stillwater, OK (Gallagher-Iba Arena)
Television: None
Radio: 93.7 KSPI-FM (Roger Moore & Rex Holt)
Live Results: okstate.com
Live Internet Video: okstate.tv

Records

Cowboys – 9-0
Panthers – 5-3

Best win

Cowboys – Iowa Hawkeyes (#3)
Panthers – Virginia Tech (#11)

Worst Loss

Cowboys – N/A
Panthers – Bloomsburg (#33)

InterMatWrestle.com ranking

Cowboys – #2
Panthers – #16

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