The eagerly anticipated second year of the David Taylor Era for Oklahoma State wrestling begins soon. On the night of November 7, the Cowboys will face off against Stanford at Gallagher-Iba Arena at 7 p.m. Following a successful first season that saw Oklahoma State finish third at the NCAA Championships and claim two individual titles, the team is looking to build on that momentum.
Oklahoma State’s Projected Lineup for 2025-26 Season
This season’s lineup has some familiar faces alongside notable newcomers. Here’s a breakdown of the projected lineup:
- 125 lbs: Troy Spratley (R-Jr.)
- 133 lbs: Richard Figueroa II (R-Sr.) OR Cael Hughes (R-So.)
- 141 lbs: Carter Young (R-Sr.) OR Sergio Vega (Fr.)
- 149 lbs: Casey Swiderski (R-Jr.)
- 157 lbs: Teague Travis (R-Sr.) OR Landon Robideau (Fr.)
- 165 lbs: LaDarion Lockett (Fr.)
- 174 lbs: Alex Facundo (R-Jr.)
- 184 lbs: Zack Ryder (R-Fr.) OR Brayden Thompson (R-So.)
- 197 lbs: Cody Merrill (R-Fr.) OR Benji Mower (R-So.)
- HWT: Konner Doucet (R-Sr.)
Rankings and Expectations
As the season begins, several Oklahoma State wrestlers hold impressive rankings:
| Weight Class | Wrestler | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 125 lbs | Troy Spratley | No. 2 |
| 133 lbs | Richard Figueroa II | No. 8 |
| 141 lbs | Carter Young | No. 18 |
| 149 lbs | Casey Swiderski | No. 2 |
| 157 lbs | Teague Travis | No. 15 |
| 174 lbs | Alex Facundo | No. 17 |
| 184 lbs | Zack Ryder | No. 4 |
| 197 lbs | Cody Merrill | No. 10 |
| HWT | Konner Doucet | No. 9 |
Key Duals in the 2025-26 Season
The Cowboys have several significant duals on their schedule this season, excluding the National Duals Invitational, which is difficult to project:
- December 21: Away at Nebraska, featuring several top-ranked wrestlers.
- January 11: Home against Oklahoma, continuing the historic Bedlam rivalry.
- February 1: Away at Iowa State, a critical match for the Big 12 title.
- February 22: Home against Iowa, marking a tough matchup for the Cowboys.
Notable Upcoming Matches
Several intriguing individual matchups to watch this season include:
- Troy Spratley vs. Eddie Ventresca (Feb. 15): A critical rematch with significant implications.
- Casey Swiderski vs. Paniro Johnson (Feb. 1): A matchup of top-ranked wrestlers from the Big 12.
- Zack Ryder vs. Angelo Ferrari (Feb. 22): An exciting clash between rising stars.
As the Cowboy wrestlers gear up for the season, anticipation builds for the upcoming duals and potential showdowns. Fans and analysts alike eagerly await how the 2025-26 lineup will perform under the guidance of Coach David Taylor.
