Bedlam leftovers: Facundo Breaks Through in OSU's Bedlam Rout

Twice, Alex Facundo was on the wrong end of a scramble.

Both times, however, Facundo ended up on the winning end. And both times, Oklahoma State coach David Taylor was visibly in awe. 

Facundo, OSU’s 13th-ranked 174-pounder clawed his way past No. 7 Carter Schubert via a 7-2 decision, kickstarting the No. 5 Cowboys’ 37-0 victory against No. 15 Oklahoma on Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena. All it took was two takedowns and a riding-time point to cement his victory to set up OSU’s Bedlam onslaught.

Facundo transferred to OSU from Penn State over the offseason with hopes of a fresh start revitalizing his college wrestling career. But after a rocky start to his redshirt-junior campaign, Facundo said anxiety and uncertainty clouded his mind. That’s when Taylor said he delivered a heart-filled yet unvarnished sentiment. 

“The messaging (to him) is just, ‘Hey, with you guys, you get to control it. You’re a takedown away from a different result in a lot of your results,’” Taylor said. “Alex wrestled a really good, complete match against a really tough opponent. And he scored some points. (He) just kind of had some clarity over the past week of what he needs to do. And today was a good (example) of that.”

Now, Facundo has hit his groove. Taylor’s blunt words served their purpose. And now, Facundo — 4-1 over his past five dual matches — is emulating the wrestler Taylor foresaw when he reeled him in from the transfer portal.

Sunday might have merely been a foreshadowing of what is to come. 

“Just staying composed (was key),” Facundo said. “I was in a couple situations where it got a little tough, But I just had to keep on keeping on. We had a really good (team) training period this past week. It was just about focusing on who you are and (how) you just got to be gritty. 

“It was good to get some takedowns, ride out the first period and then yeah — it just kept on adding up for me.”

Taylor provides update on Dee Lockett 

OSU fans might have been in awe when freshman Kody Routledge was announced as OSU’s 165-pound starter in place of second-ranked Dee Lockett. And rightfully so.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, it didn’t retrospectively haunt them as Routledge made easy work of OU’s Peyten Kellar, cruising to a 11-3 major decision in what was only his third start this season.

Post-dual, Taylor clarified that Lockett suffered an undisclosed “minor” injury in practice. He added that the expectation is for Lockett to return in the near future. While OSU fans can only hope Taylor’s words hold truth, Routledge — 2-1 in dual matches this season after Sunday — showcased the Cowboys’ depth at 165. And if anything, OSU fans can take that as a silver lining. 

“Dee is doing good,” Taylor said. “(He’s) a freshman and it’s a long season. He got a little banged up, but it’s pretty minor and it was a great opportunity for (Routledge) to wrestle.

“I expect Dee to be back here with us pretty soon.”

How will the Cowboys approach Forrest’s four remaining redshirt dates?

Freshman 133-pounder Jax Forrest headlined OSU’s victory in his collegiate debut with a 47-second pin of OU’s Carter Schmidt. That’s no instance of covered tracks.

But when Taylor was asked post-dual when he had decided to start Forrest over incumbent starter Ronnie Ramirez, Taylor was more open with reporters — albeit, perhaps slightly more sarcastic.

“June,” he said with a laugh.

He paused briefly, collected his thoughts and then continued.

“I just believe that this year, his best path to success was being here (at OSU) for the second semester,” Taylor said. “Getting this opportunity and getting the opportunity to be around this team and know that we had a young team, (it made sense).”

Now, the lingering question within the minds of OSU fans is no longer whether Forrest will wrestle this season. But rather how many more times it will happen.

According to the NCAA rulebook, wrestlers are allowed five appearances in one season to maintain redshirt status. Sunday was Forrest’s first. Now, only four remain. 

If Taylor opts to stick with Forrest as his 133-pound starter for the remainder of the season, Forrest will need to log a winning percentage of .700 or better to be eligible through eight matches for an at-large bid for Nationals come March. 

Of course, the necessity for that criteria could be nullified if Forrest were to clinch an automatic bid with an individual conference title at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships. 

Regardless of what Taylor opts for, the Cowboys have a unique talent at 133. And whether it’s on display more this season or not, there’s enough to look forward to for its future.

“(My message to Forrest was), ‘Hey, just enjoy this moment,’” Taylor said. “(I said) to be patient, the scoring is gonna come, but to just smile and have some fun. And he was pretty relaxed. I think that was a pretty special moment for him.”

No. 5 Oklahoma State 37, No. 15 Oklahoma 0

Jan. 11, 2026 | Gallagher-Iba Arena | Stillwater, Oklahoma

125: No. 7 Troy Spratley (OSU) dec. No. 24 Conrad Hendriksen (OU), 3-0
133: Jax Forrest (OSU) fall Carter Schmidt (OU), 0:47
141: No. 2 Sergio Vega (OSU) dec. No. 25 Tyler Wells (OU), 3-1
149: No. 18 Casey Swiderski (OSU) MD Alex Braun (OU), 13-2
157: No. 6 Landon Robideau (OSU) TF Layton Schneider (OU), 21-6, 5:47
165: Kody Routledge (OSU) MD Peyten Kellar (OU), 11-3
174: No. 12 Alex Facundo (OSU) dec. No. 7 Carter Schubert (OU), 7-2
184: No. 10 Zach Ryder (OSU) dec. No. 11 Brian Soldano (OU), 10-6
197: No. 8 Cody Merrill (OSU) dec. No. 9 DJ Parker (OU), 1-0
HWT: No. 7 Konner Doucet (OSU) dec. No. 23 Juan Mora (OU), 2-1