Big 12 Weekly Recap (2/25/2025)

The last week of competition in the Big 12 had some entertaining duals, capping off with Oklahoma State battling with Iowa. Iowa State and Missouri had an entertaining finish to the season, with both teams getting upsets and the Cyclones coming out on top. South Dakota State kept the Border Bell for the fourth consecutive matchup over North Dakota State. Northern Iowa completed a historic season, getting their most wins since 1988 with 14. 

Notable Results:

Friday (2/21): Full Results

Northern Iowa over Wisconsin (27-9)

165: Cody Goebel Dec. #20 Jack Thomsen (9-3)

Lehigh over Arizona State (25-11)

141: Emilio Ysaguirre Dec. #29 Carter Bailey (4-1)

149: Pierson Manville Dec. #26 Malyke Hines (5-3)

285: #6 Owen Trephan Dec. #5 Cohlton Schultz (4-2)

ASU is another Big 12 team that has struggled with injuries but had some bright spots here. Since returning to the lineup Ysaguirre has been competitive with ranked opponents and came through with a win here. Manville has stepped up the past three duals and got a ranked win here as a true freshman. Schultz suffered a small upset, with a big takedown from Trephan coming in the second to win. 

California Baptist over CSU Bakersfield (30-11)

141: Eli Griffin Maj. Hayden Zinkin (8-0)

Not a ranked result but positive to see Griffin return to the lineup, as he hasn’t competed since Midlands. He’s another interesting piece in a stacked Big 12 weight class. 

Saturday (2/22): Full Results

Iowa State over Missouri (21-18)

125: Ethan Perryman Dec. #32 Gage Walker (7-4)

157: J Conway Dec. #11 Cody Chittum (9-3)

174: #1 Keegan O’Toole Fall Cade Schmidt (6:24)

184: #10 Evan Bockman Dec. #9 Colton Hawks (1-0)

285: Seth Nitzel Dec. #26 Daniel Herrera (8-3)

Two of the more banged-up teams this season squared off, with the Cyclones getting an upset at 125 and a bonus point win at 133 to pull away. Conway got one of the bigger upsets for the Tigers this season, getting takedowns in the second and third periods plus plenty of riding time for the upset win. O’Toole made his return to the lineup and got a fall, which tied the team score at the time. Hawks also made his return but appeared more hampered, choosing neutral in the third after a Bockman escape that decided the match. Then at heavyweight Seth Nitzel got the nod and avenged a loss from the Cyclone Open over Herrera. 

The Cyclones had success as well, getting upsets at 125 and 184. At 133, Garrett Grice stepped up in place of Evan Frost and was dominant, putting up 13 points before getting the fall to win OW for the final UFC Fight Pass dual of the year. 

Sunday (2/23): Full Results

Northern Colorado over Air Force (22-21)

South Dakota State over North Dakota State (23-10)

125: Ezekiel Witt Dec. #14 Tanner Jordan (3-2)

285: Andrew Blackburn-Frost Dec. #27 Luke Rasmussen (7-5)

A late takedown by Witt flipped a November result where Jordan teched him. Similarly, Blackburn-Frost was majored by Rasmussen early in the year but avenged the loss here. 

West Virginia over Arizona State (24-13)

125: #2 Richie Figueroa Maj. #12 Jett Strickenberger (11-2)

While not an upset it is notable as Strickenberger was having a strong case for the top seed with the win over Spratley and undefeated in conference at 125. Figueroa hasn’t seen the same opponents, but the win over Strickenberger could put him in line for the top seed at Big 12’s. 

Iowa over Oklahoma State (21-16)

184: Angelo Ferrari Dec. #3 Dustin Plott (SV-1 6-3)

Every match was big in a dual like this, but it was pretty chalk outside of this upset. The Cowboys got bonus points at 125, 141, and heavyweight compared to the Hawkeyes getting them at 133, 165, and 197. OK State used Rin Sakamoto at 133, who gave up bonus points but had some fun scraps with Ayala. Also of note is Cam Amine, who came in wearing a face mask and appeared to suffer a knee injury as well. Fish had a wild match with Teemer, making a late push with a tough ride late. They’ll head into Big 12’s as heavy favorites with a number of conference contenders.