The excitement around the Oklahoma State wrestling program continues to build ahead of its home opener.

The Cowboys had statement victories against Utah Valley and Oregon State, winning 17 of their 20 matches and outscoring their two dual opponents by a combined 74-9 margin. 

Oklahoma State is wrestling with a new purpose: To score bonus points. That was the emphasis last weekend, and it will be a focal point again this weekend against Wyoming and Arizona State.

It’s a weekend slate filled with intriguing individual matchups, especially for the Oklahoma State lineup bookends. 

Sixth-ranked Cowboy Troy Spratley takes on #2 Jore Volk of Wyoming on Friday and could tangle Sunday with top-ranked and returning NCAA champion Richard Figueroa of Arizona State. 

At the opposite end of the Oklahoma State order, heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson will get his first top-10 test with the Cowboys when he takes on four-time All-American Cohlton Schultz of Arizona State. 

And all of it could be under the lights of a new presentation and spectacle for the fans to debut a new era in Stillwater. 

OSU Putting On A Show For Home Opener

Oklahoma State coach David Taylor said he’s looking forward to seeing big crowds in Gallagher-Iba Arena this weekend. Those that come to Stillwater for the first home duals of the Taylor era will also be treated to some attractions beyond the mat. 

Oklahoma State has put its touch on the fan experience for Cowboy athletics, and it appears there are some presentation elements being teed up for OSU wrestling. 

“There’s a lot of people here — that’s something that’s really exciting,” Taylor said. “We have some cool things we’re doing for the guys — the walkouts, I think things that are exciting. It’s not just a dual meet, you’re participating in a show, in an event. But still comes the wrestling. You gotta go out and score more points than your opponent, that’s what we’re focused on.”

While Taylor said it would be fun for the wrestlers, Surber asserted it would certainly be fun for the fans.

“It’s going to be really cool for the fans — I know that’s a big emphasis,” Surber said. “I think it’ll be a cool environment. It’ll be cool for us, but for the fans, it’ll be a big show.”

Lineup Battle At 133

Last weekend was the beginning of a battle for the 133-pound lineup spot between #33 Cael Hughes and Reece Witcraft. Witcraft is a seasoned veteran vying for his last chance to make the podium. Hughes, a Stillwater-grown, undefeated four-time Oklahoma state high school champion, is in his redshirt freshman year with the Cowboys. 

Witcraft started the weekend against Utah Valley with a fall (4:56) against Kase Mauger. Hughes wrestled Damion Elliott of Oregon State and won by an 8-2 decision. Hughes also won the Michigan State Open the previous weekend. 

Taylor said both wrestlers did a good job in their opening dual weekend, but neither separated themselves from the other, continuing the battle.