Gfeller Claims Title at Southern Scuffle

Monday, January 1

Chattanooga, TN

All Day

Oklahoma State University

Southern Scuffle

January 02, 2018 | Cowboy Wrestling

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Oklahoma State wrestling team wrapped up its final day at the Southern Scuffle Tuesday with a tournament champion, as freshman Kaden Gfeller locked up the 141-pound title with a fall in 4:50 against fellow freshman Nick Lee of Penn State.

The match got off to a quick start with Gfeller scoring a takedown in the first five seconds, but he gave up an escape and two takedowns to trail going into the second period. Lee would get a two-point nearfall before giving up a penalty point and allowing Gfeller the reversal. The Cowboy took advantage and put Lee on his back for 20 seconds before grinding out his second fall in the tournament.

Gfeller knocked off Lehigh's second-seeded Luke Karam earlier in the day with a 2-1 decision on his way to the finals matchup. The Cowboy gave up an escape in the second period but scored a takedown and held on for the final 45 seconds for the win.

Cowboy Gary Wayne Harding also reached the tournament final at 133 pounds, but dropped the title bout to Virginia's second-seeded Jack Mueller, 10-0.

In the semifinals, unseeded Harding maintained his top position through the entire second period against unattached Colby Smith. Harding gave up two points with a technical violation and a stalling call in the third but found his way off the bottom to get a reversal with about a minute to go. Riding time would prove to be the difference in his 3-2 victory.

Blake Andrews also wrestled for the Cowboys, but his day ended with a 4-0 loss to Lehigh's Jordan Wood, who went on to finish eighth in the heavyweight bracket.

2018 Southern Scuffle (Final Day)

Finals
141: Kaden Gfeller (OSU) fall Nick Lee (Penn State), 4:50
133: Jack Mueller (Virginia) MD Gary Wayne Harding (OSU), 10-0

Semifinals
141: Kaden Gfeller (OSU) dec. Luke Karam (Lehigh), 2-1
133: Gary Wayne Harding (OSU) dec. Colby Smith (unnat), 3-2

Consolation
Jordan Woord (Lehigh) dec. Blake Andrews (OSU), 4-0