Big 12 Weekly Recap (11/20/2024)

The Big 12 continued to pick up in action with seven teams in duals and a handful of wrestlers at open tournaments. Oklahoma State made a dominant debut with wins over Oregon State and Utah Valley with a combined 75-12 team score. Northern Colorado made an early trip to Philadelphia and returned home with two dual wins. South Dakota State had a strong showing at Daktronics, while Arizona State saw a worrying injury to Richie Figueroa. Let’s take a look at some of the more notable results to come out of this weekend. 

Notable Results:

11/14: #20 West Virginia over Rider (31-9) | Full Results

133: #20 Jett Strickenberger Fall Michael Camparano (4:31)

174: Michael Wilson Dec. #24 Brody Conley (11-5)

184: Isaac Dean Dec. #21 Ian Bush (4-2)

Strickenberger continues to look good at 133, getting his second bonus point win at the weight this year. Brody Conley is a young wrestler who I was high on after a solid year last season, but suffered an upset in his debut here. Wilson was a qualifier as well last season, so not a bad loss but a tough debut for Conley. Ian Bush has lost his last two dual matches after a hot start, to a currently unranked D2 wrestler in Kyle Homet and now Isaac Dean. Bush missed out on the starting spot against Dennis Robin last season and could be a lineup battle to look out for. 

11/15: Northern Colorado over Drexel (29-16) | Full Results

11/16: Northern Colorado over Penn (22-13) | Full Results

125: #8 Stevo Poulin Dec. #17 Max Gallagher (7-2)

141: #1 Andrew Alirez Dec. #15 CJ Composto (8-2)

157: #16 Vinny Zerban Dec. #19 Jude Swisher (7-2)

Northern Colorado had a strong weekend on the road with a 2-0 performance and a handful of ranked wins. Stevo Poulin, Dom Serrano, Andrew Alirez, Vinny Zerban, and Clayton Ulrey all went 2-0. An interesting note was at 149, where both Adam Busiello and Benji Alanis both competed but had one-sided losses. The Bears continue to show themselves to be a sneaky tough dual team with their ranked wrestlers. 

11/15: #4 Oklahoma State over Utah Valley (38-6) | Full Results

125: #6 Troy Sprately Dec. Bridger Ricks (5-3)

165: #6 Terrell Barraclough Dec. #5 Cam Amine (TB-1 5-4)

Two new head coaches squared off in Orem, UT in front of a record-setting crowd of over 5,000 fans. The Cowboys were dominant, winning eight matches with six techs or falls. Bridger Ricks is a newcomer after two All-American finishes at Western Wyoming and gave Spratley all he could handle. With another close overtime loss to Nebraska’s Caleb Smith, Ricks could be a deep sleeper at 125. 

Barraclough and Amine battled back and forth in a match with huge conference and national implications. Amine took a 3-1 lead with the only takedown in the third but Barraclough escaped just in time and took it OT with a riding time point. In rideouts, Barraclough took a smart locked hands call to finish with more riding time and get the win on criteria. Haiden Drury got a win for the Wolverines as well with a decision over local Idaho native Kolter Burton making his Cowboy dual debut. 

11/17: #4 Oklahoma State over #25 Oregon State (37-6) | Full Results

125: #6 Troy Spratley Dec. #24 Maximo Renteria (SV-1 7-4)

157: #30 Ethan Stiles Dec. #8 Teague Travis (SV-1 7-4)

197: #19 Luke Surber Dec. #7 Trey Munoz (5-0)

The Cowboys had a solid weekend headed west, going 2-0 in duals. They had some lineup changes for this one, with Cael Hughes at 133 and Tagen Jamison at 141. Jamison is certainly the starter at 141, but it seems like there could be a real starting battle between Witcraft and Hughes at 133. 

Spratley survived another close match, with a clutch takedown over Renteria to go 2-0. Teague Travis and Ethan Stiles had some wild scrambles, and it seemed like Travis had the momentum in overtime. However, Stiles scrambled through and came up with the takedown for the upset. Luke Surber was one of the biggest winners on the weekend, with a massive rankings upset over Munoz. Surber has a lengthy hit list and Munoz isn’t the first All-American he’s beaten, but it’s a great performance after an injury-filled 2024 season. 

11/15: Virginia Tech over Missouri (23-10) | Full Results

125: #13 Eddie Ventresca Dec. Gage Walker (6-5)

141: #18 Sam Latona Dec. #13 Josh Edmond (4-2)

174: #1 Keegan O’Toole Maj. #4 Lennox Wolak (13-5)

184: #12 Colton Hawks Dec. #5 TJ Stewart (8-2)

197: #13 Andy Smith Dec. Aeoden Sinclair (12-9)

Still missing Noah Surtin and Rocky Elam, the Tigers struggled to score team points in this dual on the road. True freshmen Gage Walker and Aeoden Sinclair came close against ranked opponents but weren’t able to finish late. Josh Edmond suffered an upset loss to an always dangerous Latona. 

Wolak kept it scoreless after one but O’Toole poured it on the last two periods and got a buzzer-beater escape point to keep his 100% bonus rate. Colton Hawks has gone round of 16 to bloodround finishes the past two seasons and made a statement that he’s a podium threat with a dominant decision win over TJ Stewart. Two takedowns and plenty of riding time gave him a statement win early in the year. 

11/15: #9 Iowa State over Navy (29-9) | Full Results

141: #9 Joshua Koderhandt Dec. Zach Redding (3-2)

With the recent news of Casey Swiderski missing this season due to injury, the Cyclones could have a battle at 141 this season. Redding has started in both duals so far and had tough losses. The main challenger could be with Jacob Frost, twin brother of All-American at 133 Evan Frost. Redding is more credentialed but don’t be surprised if the Frost brothers are a 1-2 punch at times this season.

11/15: #17 South Dakota State over Augustana (49-0) | Full Results

Not too much to take from this one as the Jackrabbits dominated with a mix of starters. They had nine bonus point wins including an impressive six tech falls. 

11/16: Grand View Open (#9 Northern Iowa, #13 Iowa State) | Brackets

#9 Northern Iowa

125: #4 Gabe Gonzales (Grand View) Dec. #28 Trever Anderson (TB-1 3-2)

125: Jakason Burks (Central Missouri) Dec. #28 Trever Anderson (6-5)

174: #10 Braden Anderson (Grand View) Dec. #14 Jared Simma (10-6)

While Parker Keckeisen was competing at the All-Star Classic, many of the other Panther wrestlers were making their debut here. They came away with titles at 133, (Cory Land), 141 (Cael Happel), 157 (Ryder Downey), 197 (Wyatt Voelker), and 285 (Lance Runyon). There were some unexpected results with ranked wrestlers in NAIA taking out starters Anderson and Simma. It may not change much long term, but some notable results early in the season. 

Look out for Lance Runyon at heavyweight, the two-time qualifier at 174lbs has made the move to heavyweight after struggling with injuries. Heavyweight was the only real question mark for the Panthers so if Runyon can get into the rankings he gives them a well-rounded lineup. 

#13 Iowa State

125: Adrian Meza Dec. #4 Gabe Gonzales (Grand View) (7-6)

141: #6 Cael Happel (UNI) Maj. Jacob Frost (18-6)

157: Alex Ramirez (Grand View) over #11 Paniro Johnson (Medical Forfeit)

165: #9 MJ Gaitan Maj. #27 Jack Thomsen (UNI) (19-5)

174: Aiden Riggens Dec. Tate Naaktgeboren (SV-1 4-1)

The Cyclones had some intriguing results here at multiple weights. Adrian Meza is a true freshman and undefeated through six matches. At this tournament, he beat Gabe Gonzales of Grand View, who beat Iowa’s Joey Cruz and UNI’s Trever Anderson. Jacob Frost and Zach Redding look to be in a battle for the 141 spot, and Frost had a solid tournament here. He had to finish 4th due to matches in a single day rule, but only lost to top-eight ranked Cael Happel.

MJ Gaitan made his 165 debut in impressive fashion with bonus in five of six matches with a near tech in the finals against a ranked opponent. In what seems to essentially be a wrestle-off in the finals, Aiden Riggens squeaked out a tight overtime win over redshirt freshman Tate Naaktgeboren. Riggens has started in both duals but a narrow win here likely doesn’t shut the door on this competition. 

11/17: Daktronics Open (#8 South Dakota State, #15 Arizona State, #30 Oklahoma, North Dakota State, Air Force) | Brackets

#8 South Dakota State

125: Brady Roark Dec. #30 Antonio Lorenzo (OU) (1-0)

157: Charlie Millard (MINN) Maj. #14 Cobe Siebrecht (13-4)

165: #31 Drake Rhodes Maj. #28 Tate Picklo (OU) (16-3)

197: Thomas Dineen Maj. #24 Bradley Hill (OU) (14-4)

South Dakota State had one of the more impressive tournaments with a number of upsets. Brady Roark and Thomas Dineen are two redshirt freshmen who scored ranked wins and showed a potential preview of what to expect in the future. Cobe Siebrecht had a surprising loss, being majored by true freshman Millard. Drake Rhodes had a solid ranked win, with bonus points sticking out. The Jackrabbits also had undefeated starters in Derrick Cardinal, Bennett Berge, and Zach Glazier. 

#15 Arizona State

125: Brady Roark Inj. Def. #1 Richie Figueroa (2:19)

While the Sun Devils had solid showings from Jesse Vasquez and Nicco Ruiz, the biggest story comes from the returning champ. In a match with Brady Roark, he gave up the first takedown and suffered a leg injury. He tried to wrestle through it but after another takedown how to injury default. Figueroa walked off the mat on his power, but this will be an injury to monitor. 

#30 Oklahoma

125: Kael Lauridsen (NEB) Dec. #30 Antonio Lorenzo (OU) (5-3)

285: #29 Juan Mora Dec. #25 Luke Rasmussen (SDSU) (10-3)

285: #29 Juan Mora Dec. #23 Bennett Tabor (MINN) (6-1)

The Sooners had impressive young undefeated wrestlers in Beric Jordan, KJ Evans, and Landyn Sommer.  Current starter Antonio Lorenzo had a tough debut, dropping two matches to some young backups. Juan Mora was a standout, getting two ranked wins early in the year. Willie McDougald had a close loss to Jesse Vasquez, but did beat ranked Gavin Drexler. DJ Parker had a 9-3 loss to Bennett Berge but majored his two other opponents in a solid debut. Bradley Hill had a tough tournament with upset losses to Thomas Dineen and Brian Burburjia. 

North Dakota State

149: #32 Gavin Drexler Dec. Maxwell Petersen (8-7)

Nothing too crazy for NDSU in this one, but Gavin Drexler had his second win over teammate Petersen. The two first competed at the Southeast Open where it was a 15-3 major for Drexel, so Petersen could be closing the gap at a weight the Bison have some depth. 

Air Force

197: Brian Burburjia Dec. #24 Bradley Hill (OU) (5-0)

A name I’ve been looking out for is Burburjia, who was solid at Air Force Prep last season. He went 1-2 here with losses to SDSU’s Zach Glazier and Thomas Dineen, but did avenge a loss to Bradley Hill. After a 4-1 loss in the dual over a week ago, Burburjia looked good in a 5-0 win here. 
 

Upcoming Competitions: 

Air Force: AT California Baptist (Nov. 22), Vanguard (Nov. 23)

Arizona State: Embry-Riddle/Arizona Christian (Nov. 22), AT Oklahoma State (Nov. 24)

California Baptist: Air Force (Nov. 22)

Iowa State: AT Iowa (Nov. 23)

Missouri: AT Illinois (Nov. 21), Northern Iowa (Nov. 26)

Northern Colorado: Cougar Clash (Dec. 7)

North Dakota State: Minnesota (Nov. 22)

Northern Iowa: South Dakota State (Nov. 24), Missouri (Nov. 26)

Oklahoma: Wyoming (Nov. 23)

Oklahoma State: Wyoming (Nov. 22), Arizona State (Nov. 24)

South Dakota State: AT Northern Iowa (Nov. 26)

Utah Valley: Presbyterian/Duke/NC State (Nov. 23)

West Virgina: AT App State (Nov. 22)

Wyoming: AT Oklahoma State (Nov. 22), AT Oklahoma (Nov. 23)