MINNEAPOLIS — The No. 3 Oklahoma State wrestling team defeated top-ranked Minnesota, 22-15, in its first road match of the season at the University of Minnesota’s Sports Pavilion on Sunday.
The win marks the sixth time under coach John Smith that OSU has defeated a No. 1-ranked team.
“I was pleased with the outcome,” Smith said. “In some key matches, we picked up bonus points, and there were some good performances even in the losses. Overall, I felt like we came to wrestle. There were definitely a lot of guts.”
After losses at 125 and 133 pounds, the Cowboys (2-0) began putting up points at 141 pounds when Julian Feikert pinned No. 9 Nick Dardanes in 52 seconds, setting the tone for OSU.
“I just went out ready to wrestle,” Feikert said. “I wrestled hard, and came out with a focused mentality. I think the guy underestimated me. When he tried to cradle me, I caught him on his back and capitalized.”
No. 2 Jordan Oliver, in his first dual match of the season, also produced a fall over Minnesota’s Seth Lange in 2:19.
Alex Dieringer, ranked 15th in the nation, added three for the Cowboys with a 4-2 win in overtime. In a top-10 matchup, No. 3 Tyler Caldwell of OSU beat No. 9 Cody Yohn, 8-1.
OSU’s top-ranked 174-pounder, Chris Perry, was originally set up to wrestle No. 3 Logan Storley. However, in what was the final win of the day for OSU, he found himself up against Alec Ortiz. With a 12-4 major decision over Ortiz, Perry boosted the lead for the Cowboys to 22-6.
The final three bouts of the day all ended in losses by decision for the Cowboys, including a highly anticipated match between reigning NCAA champion Tony Nelson from Minnesota and No. 2 Alan Gelogaev. Nelson defeated Gelogaev, 2-0, avenging his last loss.
The Cowboys will return to action with a home dual against No. 19 Wyoming on Saturday, followed by a dual Sunday against No. 10 Oklahoma in Norman.
