Cowboys Westbound for Pair of Big 12 Duals

Air Force & Wyoming Notes

STILLWATER – Cowboy wrestling (10-2 overall; 5-1 Big 12) goes west for back-to-back conference duals at Air Force and Wyoming on Saturday, Feb. 8. The Pokes wrestle against Air Force in Colorado Springs before taking a bus to Laramie for a matchup with former OSU Cowboy Mark Branch's Wyoming squad.

Dual Details
Dates/Times:
vs. Air Force - Feb. 8, 2020/12 p.m. CT
Location: East Gym, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Watch: Trackwrestling.com
Listen: KSPI-AM780/Pete 94.3 FM
Live Stats: Trackwrestling.com

vs. Wyoming - Feb. 8, 2020/8 p.m. CT
Location: Arena-Auditorium, Laramie, Wyo.
Watch: Flowrestling.org
Listen: Hot 93.7 KSPI-FM
Live Stats: Trackwrestling.com

The Basics
The 11th-ranked Oklahoma State wrestling team (10-2 overall; 5-1 Big 12) makes the trip west for dual matches at Air Force and Wyoming on Feb. 8. The Cowboys wrestle the Falcons in Colorado Springs at 12 p.m. CT before busing to Laramie, Wyo., that afternoon for a contest with the Cowboys at 8 p.m. CT.

The Series - Air Force
Oklahoma State and Air Force have met only twice in the programs' histories, with the Cowboys winning each of them. Most recently, the Pokes defeated the Falcons in Stillwater in 2019, 39-0. The first meeting took place in 2007 when OSU defeated Air Force 40-5.

The Series - Wyoming
Oklahoma State and the Cowboys from Wyoming have met 23 times over the years. The first contest took place in 1956 in Stillwater, where OSU topped Wyoming 21-3. OSU has won all but one dual meet against the Cowboys but has never lost. The tie came in the Pokes' second meeting in 1957 in Laramie. Former Cowboy Mark Branch has never beaten his alma mater as a coach but has kept the contest competitive over the years.

Cowboy Connections
The Pokes will see a pair of familiar faces on the trip to Laramie. Former Oklahoma State wrestler and assistant coach Mark Branch is amid his 12th season with the Cowboys of Wyoming. Prior to his time in Laramie, Branch spent six years as an associate head coach at OSU. He was a four-time NCAA finalist for the Cowboys and part of five NCAA team championships as a wrestler and coach. At Wyoming, Branch has compiled a 123-70 dual record along with a 58-17 conference dual record. Also on staff at the University of Wyoming is former OSU Cowboy Ethan Kyle who joined Branch in Laramie in 2009 as the associate head coach. Kyle wrestled for the Cowboys from 2003-07 and was a member of the four championship teams.

A Pair of Oklahoma State Wins Would…
• Move the Cowboys to 12-2 on the season
• Push OSU's road dual record this season to 5-2
• Improve coach Smith's record against Air Force to 3-0 and against Wyoming to 17-0
• Give the Pokes their sixth and seventh Big 12 dual wins this season
• Mark OSU's third consecutive win against Air Force and 23rd straight against Wyoming
• Advance Smith's head career coaching record to 438-64-6

Cowboys in the Polls
The Cowboys hold various positions at nine weights across four polls this week. Following a loss to No. 5 Brock Mauller, Boo Lewallen fell to No. 5 in all but one set of rankings. WIN dropped the Poke only one spot to No. 2 following the loss. Senior Nick Piccininni holds tight to the fourth-ranked 125-pound spot after collecting two technical falls over the weekend, outscoring his opponents, 37-6. Entering the Intermat rankings for the first time this season is Wyatt Sheets. Sheets collected a major decision and topped No. 11 Jarrett Jacques (MIZZ) to come in at No. 20 in the Intermat polls. At 165 pounds, Travis Wittlake moved up one spot in the Intermat rankings to No. 7 this week. Joe Smith earned a position higher rank at No. 10 in the 174-pound polls. Anthony Montalvo earned his highest position in the rankings this week coming in at No. 16. Cowboy Dakota Geer landed at No. 12, and Dusty Hone is ranked in all but one set of rankings, coming in as high as No. 16 at 141 pounds.

Sheets Tabbed Conference Wrestler of the Week
Wyatt Sheets was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday following a perfect dual weekend at home. Sheets tallied seven dual points for the Pokes, with the first four coming against South Dakota State in his fifth major decision of the year. The Cowboy racked up three takedowns in the third period and riding time to beat Peyton Smith, 11-3. The Stilwell, Okla., native's most impressive win of the weekend came over No. 11 Jarrett Jacques of Missouri on Sunday afternoon. Down three late in the third, Sheets escaped, notched a takedown and rode out the period to erase the Tiger's riding time and send the bout to overtime, where he won 8-6.

What to Watch
Senior Nick Piccininni matches up for the second time in his career with Air Force's Sidney Flores. The Cowboy took that match in a 13-6 decision in Stillwater a year ago. Reece Witcraft has another tough matchup when the Pokes head to Wyoming. He'll face 2018 NCAA All-American Montorie Bridges. Bridges is ranked No. 8 in the country (Intermat) with four losses on the year.

Tune In
Fans can follow the Cowboys' bouts Saturday at Air Force and Wyoming with @CowboyWrestling on Twitter. The bout in Colorado will stream for free at TrackWrestling.com, which will also have the live stats. Rex Holt and Roger Moore will be on the call beginning just before 12 p.m. CT on KSPI-AM780/Pete 94.3. The Wyoming contest will stream on FloWrestling.org with stats on Track and the call on Hot 93.7 KSPI FM at 8 p.m. CT.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Dakota Geer

Dusty Hone

Boo Lewallen

Anthony Montalvo

Nick Piccininni

Wyatt Sheets

Joe Smith

Reece Witcraft

Travis Wittlake

Oklahoma State University Athletics