Oklahoma State wrestler Zack Ryder has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week following his performance at the NWCA All-Star Classic, according to an announcement from the conference on Wednesday.
Ryder, competing in his first match for Oklahoma State at 184 pounds, secured a major decision victory over Maryland’s Jaxon Smith. This win was notable as it was the only bonus-point victory of the event. Before this match, Smith had only conceded bonus points twice in his collegiate career. With this result, Ryder joins Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks as the only wrestlers to achieve a bonus-point win against Smith.
This is Ryder’s first Big 12 honor. Last season, he received one Big Ten Freshman of the Week award after going 8-0 for Penn State at the Southern Scuffle.
Oklahoma State is set to begin its season at Gallagher-Iba Arena against No. 19 Stanford on Friday, November 7, with coverage available on ESPN+.