OSU's Robideau Defeats Reigning Champ Taylor at NCAAs

Landon Robideau secures 157-pound title with upset of Nebraska's Antrell Taylor

Robideau and Vega become OSU's first pair of freshman national champions, a feat not accomplished since Iowa's Lee and Diakomihalis in 2018

Daniel Allen

Mar 23, 2026 - 3 min read

With a chance at vengeance, Landon Robideau seized the opportunity.

The fifth-seeded Robideau downed reigning 157-pound champion and second-seeded Cantrell Taylor of Nebraska with a 4-2 decision at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on Saturday. Concurrently, Robideau avenged a 3-2 loss to Taylor in December during OSU's win against the Cornhuskers in Lincoln.

"The first match (against Taylor), I just went out there and it was just a weird match," Robideau said. "It was in a weird part of the season and I just didn't put my best foot forward. So, obviously I wanted this match badly.

"I wanted to show them that this was for the national championship. You've got to get hard when it matters most, and I was ready."

Robideau went for a shot on Taylor early in the first period, landing on his right leg, which Taylor countered. Early in the second, Robideau, who started in the down position, turned Taylor for back points. Initially, it was ruled a three-point nearfall but Nebraska coach Mark Manning threw his challenge brick, and it was changed to a two-point call.

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Robideau and Taylor both logged an escape in the final period, but Robideau's defense did the rest to finalize his 4-2 win.

As he rose from the mat, Robideau held his hands out, exposing palms in the air as he celebrated with OSU fans present that made the trek to Cleveland. Shortly after, he exchanged words with Taylor, flexed his muscles and embraced his coaching staff.

Robideau clinched OSU its second individual champion, in addition to 141-pounder Sergio Vega, who won his title match moments prior. It marks the first time a team has produced two freshmen champions in the national tournament since 2018, when Iowa did it with Spencer Lee (125) and Yianni Diakomihalis (141).

Landon Robideau signs autographs for fans after winning the 157-pound NCAA Championship final against Nebraska's Antrell Taylor at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. — Landon Robideau signs autographs for fans following his 4-2 victory over Nebraska's Antrell Taylor in the 157-pound NCAA Championship final Saturday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. – Photo by Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

And to accomplish that feat as a first-year prospect, Robideau said, was validating beyond measures.

"I just had an edge this year," Robideau said. "I knew people were writing me off. They were talking about all of these amazing sophomores and juniors and these other freshmen coming in. Obviously I was mentioned, but I felt a little bit disrespected and I just wanted to go prove it — to go prove myself on the biggest stage."

"It means a lot to me," Robideau said. "Obviously, I had a pretty hot start to the season, and I got really excited. It's a long season, it's a hard season. Obviously there's ups and downs throughout — injuries, hard times, life, just everything like that. So, to make it to nationals, be able to wrestle the best guys in the country and go out there and be able to prove that I'm the best in the country and get it done, it means a lot."