Where to Watch: February 2nd, 2PM CT on ESPN+
The day after the Oklahoma dual the Tigers travel north to Stillwater for their highest ranked dual matchup yet. The Cowboys look rejuvenated with new head coach David Taylor and a handful of big impact transfers this season. They brought in three former All-Americans and a four-time qualifier to strengthen their team and have stayed healthy all season. They’re coming off their two closest duals against Northern Iowa and Iowa State, and have put up more than 20 team points in every dual this season.
The Tigers will be in an uphill battle but will have some opportunities to score upsets in this one. OK State is also looking to break their attendance record average so the atmosphere will be another challenge and good experience for the young team.
125lbs: #32 Gage Walker (10-6) vs #4 Troy Spratley (14-3)
Likely the Big 12 favorite, Spratley redshirted at Minnesota before transferring to OSU last season. He made the Big 12 finals and the bloodround at NCAA’s but has jumped levels this offseason. Two of his losses have come to undefeated wrestlers Vince Robinson and Matt Ramos. He was pinned by Jett Strickenberger, but it was while he was going for a tilt and overcommitted.
Spratley is called “Sparkplug” by the team, because of his high pace and offensive output. He is in your face all seven minutes and has a variety of attacks with different setups. He has some solid turns from top but is much more reliant on his neutral offense. This is actually a style matchup that could be good for Walker. His best attacks come from reattacks, and Spratley will certainly be creating opportunities. While it’s not as often as last season, Spratley is turnable at times and shown vulnerability on bottom. If Walker can find a reattack and use good top wrestling to slow his pace down, this match could be tight. I think Walker could struggle with Spratley’s pace, and if he fades hard then Spratley will push for bonus points. I’ll take Spratley getting a decision with Walker having some good moments.
Prediction: Troy Spratley Dec. Gage Walker (MIZ 0 OKST 3)
133lbs: Kade Moore (11-12) vs Reece Witcraft (8-3)/#21 Cael Hughes (7-1)
OK State has two viable starters here. Witcraft is a sixth year senior and two-time qualifier at 125 and 133 respectively. He’s stepped up for the Cowboys multiple times and has many ranked wins in his career. He started the year but missed time due to injury which let Hughes come in. A top ten blue chip recruit in the 2023 class, Hughes had high expectations for college. He started the year well by winning the Michigan State Open and beat returning All-American Kai Orine but has struggled in his last two. Tommy Maddox of WVU took him to OT and Julian Farber of UNI majored him. I think Witcraft has the higher ceiling of the two and will be the starter again going forward.
