Ryder Wins Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Honors

November 05, 2025 | Cowboy Wrestling

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State 184-pounder Zack Ryder earned Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honors after his victory over Maryland's Jaxon Smith at the NWCA All-Star Classic, the conference announced Wednesday.

In his first action with the Cowboys, Ryder tallied a major decision over Smith, collecting the lone bonus-point victory of the event. Leading up to the event, Smith had only given up bonus points twice in his career. Ryder joins an elite list of wrestlers with Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks as the only wrestlers to pick up a bonus-point win over Smith.

The award is Ryder's first Big 12 honor of his career, after picking up one Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor last season after his 8-0 performance for Penn State at the Southern Scuffle.

Oklahoma State opens its season in Gallagher-Iba Arena against No. 19 Stanford Friday, November 7, at 7 p.m on ESPN+.