The season is now right around the corner so I thought it’d be fun to do a detailed look at the Big 12. While it’s not the Big 10, the Big 12 is a close second in terms of depth and strength. OK State is the favorite after a team trophy last season but has a number of lineup question marks. Iowa State made big moves in the transfer portal but has a lot of injury history. There are a number of other teams that could step into the top five including Mizzou, Oklahoma, Northern Iowa, SDSU, and WVU.
125lbs:
– Favorites: #2 Troy Spratley (OKST), #6 Jett Strickenberger (WVU), #7 Stevo Poulin (ISU)
At the top are the two returning finalists, but their conference places are flipped. While Strickenberger beat Spratley in the Big 12 finals, he failed to make the podium while Spratley was a finalist. Stevo Poulin made the podium after consecutive bloodround finishes, and had a narrow 2-1 loss to Spratley at NCAA’s. All three of these wrestlers are high level veterans and heavy favorites in the conference.
– Contenders: #12 Trever Anderson (UNI), #24 Beric Jordan (OU)
Anderson has been one of the more under the radar wrestlers at this weight but broke through with a bloodround finish last season. He isn’t the most consistent but has big move ability and can surprise high level opponents. Jordan is coming in after a standout redshirt season and was a blue chip recruit out of high school. He went 14-2 at 125 last season with wins over multiple qualifiers and could be an immediate threat.
– Other Ranked Wrestlers: #29 Brady Roark (SDSU), #30 Ezekiel Witt (NDSU), #33 Mack Mauger (MIZZ)
Roark is a Missouri (Seneca) native and looks to enter the lineup after spending last year behind All-American Tanner Jordan. Last season he only went 7-1 but still had two wins over qualifiers. Witt and Mauger are both coming in after redshirt seasons and wins over quality wrestlers. Any of these three could find themselves moved into the contender list with a full season under their belt.
