Oklahoma State's NCAA champion AJ Ferrari (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Since we're about to wrap up 2021, I thought I'd throw a little different angle on my story this week for the Big 12 conference. I'm going to look at all the schools and what I view as the top events for each of them from 2021.
Missouri-Return to the Big 12.
Missouri was a core Big 12 member when the conference was formed in 1994. Their exit to the SEC in 2012 shocked some and left them without a home for wrestling as the SEC does not sponsor the sport. After a nine-year hiatus where they hung out in the MAC, they've now returned to the Big 12. The level of success upon their return remains to be seen, but they remain a top program nationally and will certainly add some excitement to the team race at the Big 12 tournament in Tulsa this year.
Oklahoma State-The 665 Pound Deadlift
The Cowboys were on a five-year drought of individual NCAA champions, and with the kind of history this program has, that's a long time. AJ Ferrari, their true freshman 197 pounder who famously told the world at the NCAA tournament that he deadlifts 665 pounds, ended that drought in 2021. Taking only one loss all season, Ferrari ran through the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments knocking off a who's who of stars in a tough bracket to become just the second Cowboy ever to win an NCAA title as a true freshman.
Oklahoma-Big 12 Co-Champions
In what many would say is the biggest win of the Lou Rosselli era at Oklahoma, the Sooners won a share of the Big 12 conference crown this year when they tied their rival Oklahoma State in Tulsa last March.
Bonus point win after bonus-point win in the consolation bracket for OU pulled them into the lead heading into the finals of the conference tournament. OSU tied things up with wins by Daton Fix, Boo Lewallen, and AJ Ferrari in the finals, but OU snagged a share of the conference crown for the first time since 2002.
Air Force-Wyatt Hendrickson wins a Junior National Title
The standard-bearer for the Air Force program of late has been Wyatt Hendrickson. The heavyweight out of Kansas has been a star for the Falcons in his young career and this summer, he won the 125 KG Junior World Team Trials and represented the United States in Russia on the team.
If there's a guy that could get Air Force an individual Big 12 title and potentially an NCAA tournament podium finish, Hendrickson is the guy.
Cal Baptist-Joins the Big 12
Cal Baptist still has some time before they officially start competing in the conference, but in February, it was announced that they'll be joining in 2022-23. This program has a lot of tradition, but it's all been in Division 2. This association with a big-time wrestling conference will put their brand next to some of the biggest names in the sport and put a huge spotlight on the school and program.
South Dakota State-Facility Upgrades
South Dakota State announced facility upgrade plans at the end of 2020, but the process has been rolling into 2021. This was a monumental announcement for the school. They will have some of the best facilities in the country soon and will undoubtedly have the best in the Big 12. Absolutely massive for their recruiting, athletes, coaches, and their program.
Northern Colorado-Breaks into the top 25
In wrestling, there is so much shine on the top schools that it's difficult to see what's going on at some of the more under-the-radar programs. It is hard to build on a program that has not made the top 25 in 50+ years. Last season for the first time in 51 years, the Bears made it into the top 25 of the coach's poll.
Northern Iowa-Parker Keckeisen Finishes Third at NCAA Tournament
Northern Iowa continues to be one of the best programs in the country at the 184-pound weight class. Parker Keckeisen took one loss on the season to eventual NCAA champion Aaron Brooks, but looks poised to potentially win a National title in his career as he did this as a freshman and with the covid year could have as many as four more shots to reach the top of the podium.
Utah Valley-LaMont and Romero All-American
Utah Valley has two very good wrestlers in Taylor LaMont and Demetrius Romero. Both showed that at the NCAA tournament last season with top-eight finishes. Oklahoma State was the only program in the Big 12 with more All-American finishes than Utah Valley last season.
Iowa State-Carr wins a National Title
David Carr was the Big 12 wrestler of the year and 157-pound NCAA champion. He's still young and will continue to rack up accolades for the Cyclones as he moves forward in his career, but this was the first NCAA title win for Carr in a career that is certain to go down as one of the greats at Iowa State.
Wyoming-Buchanan finishes as an All-American
All-American finishes at the NCAA tournament aren't easy to come by. Especially after having to battle the gauntlet of a weight class that is 197 in the Big 12 every week. Stephen Buchanan did that in March and finished 8th at the NCAA tournament. He's back with a shot to finish a bit higher on the NCAA podium this March.
North Dakota State-Weber wins the Big 12
All last season, everyone around wrestling and the Big 12 declared Travis Wittlake as a lock to win the Big 12 at 165. Luke Weber shocked the world when he knocked off Wittlake in the semifinals of the tournament and went on to win the conference title. He fell short of an All-American finish at the NCAA tournament, but a better break in his bracket and he's sure to make the podium this year.
West Virginia-Killian Cardinale finishes as an All-American
Cardinale went on a great run at the NCAA tournament to finish seventh at 125. You could argue that this weight class in the Big 12 was a bit overlooked for most of the season nationally, but Cardinale and LaMont answered the call in March and both helped change that narrative a bit with top-eight finishes.
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