The Oklahoma State wrestling team, ranked No. 3 nationally, will conclude its regular season with a high-profile dual against No. 7 Iowa on Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The match is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Oklahoma State enters the matchup following a close victory over No. 6 Virginia Tech, where freshman Jax Forrest secured a 10-9 win against Aaron Seidel. Sergio Vega also contributed by earning the only bonus-point win in the contest, helping the Cowboys to a 19-12 road victory.
Fans can watch the event live on ESPN or listen to radio coverage on 93.7 KSPI-FM. Updates and statistics will be available via @CowboyWrestling on X and statbroadcast.com.
The rivalry between Oklahoma State and Iowa is considered one of the most significant in college wrestling, dating back to February 22, 1954. Oklahoma State leads the series with a record of 29-28-2, having last won at home in 2019. Combined, both programs have claimed more than half of all NCAA team titles awarded in history.
Head coach David Taylor’s leadership has brought renewed success to Oklahoma State since his arrival, highlighted by a third-place finish at last season’s NCAA Championships and two individual national champions. The Cowboys returned six NCAA qualifiers this year and added three transfers: Richard Figueroa II, Casey Swiderski, and Alex Facundo.
Taylor commented on his first freshman class’s impact: “The hometown hero LaDarion ‘Dee’ Lockett has put the country on notice at 165 pounds.” Other freshmen making significant contributions include Landon Robideau (157 pounds), Sergio Vega (141 pounds), and Jax Forrest (133 pounds). All four are ranked within the top six nationally in their weight classes with a combined record of 49-1.
Troy Spratley continues as a key figure for OSU at 125 pounds after reaching the national finals last season; he currently ranks seventh nationally.
Transfers such as Swiderski, Facundo, Zack Ryder, and Gary Steen have also played vital roles this season. Last year’s transfer group included four wrestlers who achieved All-America status; two won national titles.
Regarding venue history, Gallagher-Iba Arena has been central to Oklahoma State’s wrestling tradition since opening in 1939. The arena has hosted numerous unbeaten streaks for OSU—most notably an initial stretch of 37 straight home wins—and recently celebrated its 500th dual victory inside its walls.
Oklahoma State remains prominent historically within collegiate wrestling:
– The program holds records for most NCAA team championships (34), individual champions (145), All-Americans (492), and Olympians produced (41).
– Legendary wrestlers associated with OSU include Yojiro Uetake (57-0 career record), Pat Smith (first four-time NCAA champion), John Smith (two-time NCAA champion and six-time world gold medalist), and Kenny Monday.
– Since 1924, OSU athletes have appeared on Olympic teams over forty times, winning eleven gold medals.
– Forty Cowboy wrestlers have been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame—the highest total among any school.
If Oklahoma State secures a win over Iowa this weekend:
• Their series lead would improve to 30-28-2.
• It would mark their first win over Iowa since 2019.
• Their overall dual record under David Taylor would reach 28-2.
• They would remain undefeated at home under Taylor’s tenure.
• It would be their sixth win against a top-ten opponent this season.
Gallagher-Iba Arena is widely regarded as one of college wrestling’s historic venues due to its long-standing tradition and success rate for home teams.