With that perfect conference record, the Cowboys were presented the inaugural Big 12 regular season wrestling championship at the conclusion of the dual. The OSU wrestling program now has 11 Big 12 team titles, eight seasons without a loss to a Big 12 opponents and 45 total team conference championships.
“This was the first time we’ve had a regular conference championship in dual meets, and it wasn’t easy,” coach John Smith said. “It’s nice, but the whole thing changes if Chris Perry doesn’t get a technical fall (at OU). We like to collect hardware. That’s our focus.”
Oklahoma State started the dual strong and never looked back, holding a 17-0 lead after the first three bouts with a fall at 141 pounds from Josh Kindig over Brandon Wiest, a technical fall at 133 pounds from Jordan Oliver over Eric Wilson and a Missouri forfeit at 125 pounds.
“Well, it was a little different because, obviously, their ‘25-pounder was out,” Smith said. “Overall, it was a good effort from the standpoint of being a little bit more aggressive and putting points on the board at key times.”
A pair of seniors, wrestling in their last career matches inside Gallagher-Iba Arena, came through with some of the biggest wins of the dual, including Jamal Parks’ 10-3 decision over No. 13 Kyle Bradley at 149 pounds and Cayle Byers’ 7-1 decision over No. 5 Brent Haynes.
“I was pleased with the outcome,” Byers said. “I didn't go in there to wrestle any different than I have in the past. I just trained hard and stuck to the game plan the coaches had and it turned out well.”
Parks’ win wrapped up a perfect regular season for him at 28-0. He joins fellow Cowboy Chris Perry with an undefeated regular season, as Perry won 6-3 at 174 pounds over No. 15 Dorian Henderson to push his season mark to 24-0.
“It feels great,” Parks said. “This is a great year to have my first undefeated season. I've never had one, so I'm looking forward to grinding and keep doing what I'm doing.”
Other OSU wins included Dallas Bailey’s 4-1 decision over Zach Toal at 165 pounds and Austin Marsden’s 3-2 victory over No. 20 Devin Mellon, giving OSU wins in eight of the 10 bouts.
The Cowboys return to action March 3 as they compete in the Big 12 Championship in Columbia, Mo.
Results:
125: No. 14 Jon Morrison (OSU) won by forfeit (MU)
133: No. 1 Jordan Oliver (OSU) TF5 Eric Wilson (MU); 19-4;5:24
141: No. 13 Josh Kindig (OSU) fall Brandon Wiest (MU); 2:30
149: No. 2 Jamal Parks (OSU) dec. No. 13 Kyle Bradley (MU); 10-3
157: No. 19 Drake Houdashelt (MU) dec. No. 20 Albert White (OSU); 2-1
165: Dallas Bailey (OSU) dec. Zach Toal (MU); 4-1
174: No. 3 Chris Perry (OSU) dec. No. 15 Dorian Henderson (MU); 6-3
184: No. 18 Mike Larson (MU) fall Chris McNeil (OSU); 4:32
197: Cayle Byers (OSU) dec. No. 5 Brent Haynes (MU); 7-1
285: Austin Marsden (OSU) dec. No. 20 Devin Mellon (MU); 3-2
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