Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Mourns the Loss of Eric Wais
April 14, 2025 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrestling mourns the loss of former national champion Eric Wais, who passed away over the weekend.
Wais was a pillar of the Cowboy lineup from 1977-80, compiling an 89-6-2 career record and a 91.75% winning percentage that still ranks in the program's top 25. His lengthy list of accolades included three conference championships, three All-America honors, two NCAA finals appearances and a 190-pound national title in 1979.
A native of Woodland, Calif., Wais' impact was immediately felt in 1977 as he produced one of the best true freshman campaigns in program history. He placed fourth at the NCAA Championships that year, which was key in the team's national runner-up finish, and his conference title was just the fifth ever by a Cowboy true freshman. To this day, Wais stands as one of just seven OSU wrestlers to win a conference title and reach the national podium during their true freshman season.
The following year, Wais captured his second of three career Big Eight crowns as part of OSU's team title performance. He went on to reach the NCAA finals that March, setting up an incredible junior season in which he went 29-0 and won the NCAA championship at 190 pounds.
Wais was a pillar of the Cowboy lineup from 1977-80, compiling an 89-6-2 career record and a 91.75% winning percentage that still ranks in the program's top 25. His lengthy list of accolades included three conference championships, three All-America honors, two NCAA finals appearances and a 190-pound national title in 1979.
A native of Woodland, Calif., Wais' impact was immediately felt in 1977 as he produced one of the best true freshman campaigns in program history. He placed fourth at the NCAA Championships that year, which was key in the team's national runner-up finish, and his conference title was just the fifth ever by a Cowboy true freshman. To this day, Wais stands as one of just seven OSU wrestlers to win a conference title and reach the national podium during their true freshman season.
The following year, Wais captured his second of three career Big Eight crowns as part of OSU's team title performance. He went on to reach the NCAA finals that March, setting up an incredible junior season in which he went 29-0 and won the NCAA championship at 190 pounds.
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