Oklahoma State University Athletics
Heil, Oliver Wrap Up Olympic Trials at 65 KG
April 09, 2016 | Cowboy Wrestling
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Two Oklahoma State wrestlers, reigning NCAA champion Dean Heil and former Cowboy and two-time NCAA champion Jordan Oliver, competed in today's Olympic Team Trials at 65 kilograms at the University of Iowa's Carver Hawkeye Arena.
Oliver, who entered the day as the No. 2 seed, received a bye in the first round. In the quarterfinals, he went head-to-head with youngster Aaron Pico. Oliver jumped out to 3-0 lead, but Pico kept the match tight. They spent the remainder of the match exchanging points, but a big takedown from Pico at the end of the match gave him an 11-9 win. On the consolation side of the bracket, Oliver injury defaulted to Kellen Russell, ending his Olympic Trials tournament.
Heil made his freestyle debut, facing 2014 World Team member Jimmy Kennedy of the New York Athletic Club. Despite scoring a takedown late in the first period, Heil fell to Kennedy by way of a 12-2 technical fall. In his consolation match, Heil matched up with Jason Chamberlain, the 2014 Pan American champion. It was another tough bout for Heil, who lost a 10-0 match.
"Wrestling at the trials was a dream come true, but it didn't go like I planned," Heil said. "I can definitely learn a lot from this experience though. The senior level is a huge step up from the college level, but I know I can compete at this level. I don't think I prepared myself properly for it this time around and I know I'll be back in the future competing for a spot on the World and Olympic team. I've still got another four to eight years in me. I have a lot to work on but I'll be back."
Seven more Cowboys will vie for a spot on the Olympic team on Sunday, with the first session beginning at 9 a.m. Fans can watch the action on NBCSports.com.
Oklahoma State results
April 9, 2016 :: Carver Hawkeye Arena :: Attendance – 20,922
65 kilograms
No. 7 Aaron Pico (TMWC) dec. No. 2 Jordan Oliver (Sunkist Kids), 11-9
No. 8 Kellen Russell (NYAC) won by injury default over No. 2 Jordan Oliver (Sunkist Kids)
No. 3 Jimmy Kennedy (NYAC) TF Dean Heil (Cowboy Wrestling Club), 12-2
No. 11 Jason Chamberlain (TMWC) TF Dean Heil (CWC), 10-0
Cowboys to Watch on Sunday
57 kg/125.5 pounds – qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 4 Coleman Scott
Obe Blanc
74 kg/163 pounds – qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 2 Chris Perry
No. 4 Alex Dieringer
86 kg/189 pounds – NOT qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 8 Clayton Foster
Tyler Caldwell
97 kg/213 pounds – qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 5 Cayle Byers
Oliver, who entered the day as the No. 2 seed, received a bye in the first round. In the quarterfinals, he went head-to-head with youngster Aaron Pico. Oliver jumped out to 3-0 lead, but Pico kept the match tight. They spent the remainder of the match exchanging points, but a big takedown from Pico at the end of the match gave him an 11-9 win. On the consolation side of the bracket, Oliver injury defaulted to Kellen Russell, ending his Olympic Trials tournament.
Heil made his freestyle debut, facing 2014 World Team member Jimmy Kennedy of the New York Athletic Club. Despite scoring a takedown late in the first period, Heil fell to Kennedy by way of a 12-2 technical fall. In his consolation match, Heil matched up with Jason Chamberlain, the 2014 Pan American champion. It was another tough bout for Heil, who lost a 10-0 match.
"Wrestling at the trials was a dream come true, but it didn't go like I planned," Heil said. "I can definitely learn a lot from this experience though. The senior level is a huge step up from the college level, but I know I can compete at this level. I don't think I prepared myself properly for it this time around and I know I'll be back in the future competing for a spot on the World and Olympic team. I've still got another four to eight years in me. I have a lot to work on but I'll be back."
Seven more Cowboys will vie for a spot on the Olympic team on Sunday, with the first session beginning at 9 a.m. Fans can watch the action on NBCSports.com.
Oklahoma State results
April 9, 2016 :: Carver Hawkeye Arena :: Attendance – 20,922
65 kilograms
No. 7 Aaron Pico (TMWC) dec. No. 2 Jordan Oliver (Sunkist Kids), 11-9
No. 8 Kellen Russell (NYAC) won by injury default over No. 2 Jordan Oliver (Sunkist Kids)
No. 3 Jimmy Kennedy (NYAC) TF Dean Heil (Cowboy Wrestling Club), 12-2
No. 11 Jason Chamberlain (TMWC) TF Dean Heil (CWC), 10-0
Cowboys to Watch on Sunday
57 kg/125.5 pounds – qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 4 Coleman Scott
Obe Blanc
74 kg/163 pounds – qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 2 Chris Perry
No. 4 Alex Dieringer
86 kg/189 pounds – NOT qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 8 Clayton Foster
Tyler Caldwell
97 kg/213 pounds – qualified for the Olympic Games
No. 5 Cayle Byers
Players Mentioned
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