OSU Wrestling Takes Command at Big 12 Championships

TULSA — A season ago, Oklahoma State won the Big 12 Wrestling Championships with 153.5 points.

Six wrestlers appeared in the finals round, and only one — heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson — came out victorious. Nonetheless, OSU ended a four-year conference title drought in coach David Taylor's first season.

This season, the Cowboys finished the event’s first day alone with 154. And more wrestling still awaits.

Oklahoma State's Troy Spratley (left) works to control Conrad Hendriksen of Oklahoma during their 125-pound semifinal, and Jax Forrest (right) dominates Julian Farber of Northern Iowa in the 133-pound semi final Friday at the 2026 Allstate Big 12 Wrestling Championships at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Spratley won by major decision, 8-0, and Forrest won by technical fall, 21-6, as both advance to Sunday's championship round. – Photos by Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

OSU holds a decisive first-place lead through the first two sessions of the 2026 Big 12 Wrestling Championships. The Cowboys finished the day 26-3 in matches, sending eight wrestlers to Sunday’s championship round — double what Iowa State produced.

OSU’s point total puts it ahead of the second-place Cyclones (122.5) by 32. And most importantly, it provides leeway heading into the final day of the event, which begins tomorrow at noon at the BOK Center.

OSU opened the second session at 125 with Troy Spratley. With the roar of the crowd intensifying as time winded by, bellowing around him, the top-seeded Spratley didn’t falter. He bullied his way past 5-seed Conrad Hendriksen of Oklahoma with an 8-0 major decision, opening the floodgates for another dominant session from the Cowboys.

More than lumber. Stillwater Building Center carries cleaning products, power tools, paint, hardware, and everything in between. Your neighborhood home improvement store—because every project deserves expert help and quality products. 📞 405-372-5959

Visit The Color Bar

At 133, top-seeded Jax Forrest finalized his match midway through the second period with a 21-6 tech fall against 5-seed Julian Farber of Northern Iowa. Then came a 4-0 decision from top-seeded Sergio Vega at 141.

The wins piled on as team points swiftly ballooned. Gradually, the deficit fell out of reach for opposing teams, and the Cowboys capitalized on any opportunity they could to stretch their lead.

More bonus-point wins came at 149 from Casey Swiderski, Landon Robideau at 157 and Dee Lockett at 165. Shortly after, 174-pounder Alex Facundo and heavyweight Konner Doucet finalized things with tightly-contested decisions.

Oklahoma State's Cody Merrill (left) squares off against Joey Novak of Wyoming in the 197-pound semifinal, and heavyweight Konner Doucet (right) faces his opponent during the 285-pound semifinal Friday at the 2026 Allstate Big 12 Wrestling Championships at the BOK Center in Tulsa. – Photos by Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

OSU’s lone loss in the winners’ bracket came at 197. With the match tied at 2 through regulation, third-seeded Cody Merrill forced sudden victory with 2-seed Joey Novk of Wyoming. But a controversial call — or lack thereof — when Novak grabbed Merrill’s headgear early, which OSU fans present deemed iffy. That provided Novak another opportunity, which he swiftly took advantage of, clinching a 5-2 decision against Merrill with a late takedown.

Taylor told reporters that second-seeded 184-pounder Zack Ryder’s weekend was done, after dislocating his left shoulder four times during the first session. From a team race standpoint, it’s far from a costly loss for the Cowboys. Nonetheless, it’s something coaches and fans should monitor with nationals lingering in two weeks.

A message from Visit Stillwater
Shop, dine, and play your way through Stillwater this March. From gravel road races and McKnight Center shows to browsing local shops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

View Events