Cowboys Open 2024-25 Season at Utah Valley, No. 24 Oregon State

The Basics
The No. 3 Oklahoma State wrestling team begins the David Taylor era with a road trip out west to Utah Valley on Friday, November 15, and No. 24 Oregon State two days later. Friday's dual is set for an 8 p.m. CT start at the UCCU Center before the Cowboys and Beavers take the mat Sunday at 4 p.m. CT at Gill Coliseum on Sunday.

On the Air
Both of this weekend's duals will be streamed on FloWrestling.org and carried live on Hot 93.7 KSPI-FM as Rex Holt returns as the voice of the Cowboy wrestling. Sam Allen and Chasen Tolbert are set to handle broadcast duties on Friday, while Jon Kozak will be on the call against Oregon State. Live stats and results can be found on trackwrestling.com.

The Series: Utah Valley
Oklahoma State returns to Orem for just the second time in program history after clashing during the 2021-22 season. Dustin Plott and Luke Surber both came away with victories in that dual to help Oklahoma State defeat the Wolverines in dominating fashion, 37-0. The two programs now meet again for just the second time, both with first-year head coaches and high hopes for the 2024-25 season.

The Series: Oregon State
Sunday's contest marks the 24th meeting between Oklahoma State and Oregon State, a series that has gone the Cowboys' way in all 23 previous renditions. The series dates back to March 20, 1961, when the Pokes traveled to Corvallis and came home with a 30-7 victory, which was the first of their nine road wins over the Beavers. Oklahoma State's most recent trip to Corvallis was on January 8, 2023, as a record crowd of 6,764 saw the Cowboys pull out a 20-12 win. Despite a 27-9 final score, last season's matchup was also tightly contested with Oklahoma State scratching out four overtime wins on the day. Former OSU wrestler and current Oregon State head coach Chris Pendleton is winless in three tries against his alma mater. One of the top Cowboys of the 21st century, Pendleton won two national titles at 174 pounds and was a three-time All-American from 2001-05.

About the Cowboys
The 2024 offseason sparked a new era for Oklahoma State as legendary head coach John Smith announced his retirement and wrestling icon David Taylor was hired as the program's eighth head coach in program history. All eyes have been on Stillwater ever since and excitement is buzzing for Taylor's first year at the helm with OSU's No. 3 ranking in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll. The Oklahoma State roster features 13 national qualifiers and after adding a trio of multi-time All-Americans over the summer, the Cowboys have all the pieces necessary to contend for a team trophy this upcoming March.

National finalist Dustin Plott is back at 184 pounds to lead perhaps the deepest lineup during his time in Stillwater. The three-time All-American is looking to finish the job after racking up a 31-4 record last season and reaching the championship match at the national tournament. He is currently ranked third at the weight class behind a pair of former national champions.

Nicknamed "Sparky" for his prowess atop the Cowboy lineup, Troy Spratley is set to make a big jump in 2025 following a breakout freshman season in which he went 23-8 and finished one win shy of the podium at 125 pounds. Spratley downed a dozen ranked opponents throughout the year, notably including 2024 national champion Richard Figueroa of Arizona State. Surrounding Spratley at 133 pounds will likely be Cael Hughes, a blue-chip prospect out of Stillwater High School, or two-time national qualifier Reece Witcraft.

Oklahoma State will see new faces at 165, 174 and 285 pounds as it brought in perhaps the country's most accomplished group of newcomers in Cameron Amine, Dean Hamiti Jr. and Wyatt Hendrickson. Amongst a laundry list of accolades, the three wrestlers have combined for seven All-America honors, three conference championships and a 247-50 record over the past four years. Meanwhile, the Cowboy lineup is balanced out by a stable of proven returners who have each qualified for the NCAA Championships at least once, including 141-pounder Tagen Jamison, 149-pounder Carter Young, 157-pounder Teague Travis and 197-pounder Luke Surber.

A Pair of Oklahoma State Wins Would...
• Make OSU 2-0 for the fifth straight season and eighth time in the past nine years
• Give David Taylor the first two wins of his head coaching career
• Mark OSU's first wins this season against a Big 12 opponent and ranked opponent
• Improve OSU's record against Utah Valley to 2-0, both coming on the road
• Improve OSU's record against Oregon State to 24-0 and 10-0 on the road
• Make OSU 13-1 in its past 14 duals against ranked opponents
• Improve OSU's winning streak against Big 12 opponents to 12 and its record in its last 18 conference duals to 17-1
• Improve OSU's record to 32-4 in its past 36 duals overall

Cowboys Open 2024-25 Season at Utah Valley, No. 24 Oregon State

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Players Mentioned

Cameron Amine

Dean Hamiti Jr.

Wyatt Hendrickson

Cael Hughes

Tagen Jamison

Dustin Plott

Troy Spratley

Luke Surber

Teague Travis

Reece Witcraft

Carter Young

Oklahoma State University Athletics