Cowboy Wrestling Advances Seven to NCAA Quarterfinals

March 19, 2026 | Cowboy Wrestling

Oklahoma State fourth after first day of NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Photos

CLEVELAND – The Oklahoma State wrestling team advanced seven wrestlers to the quarterfinal round of the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships Thursday and are in fourth place with 25 team points. Just 5.5 points separate the second and sixth place teams.

The Cowboys, who had 10 wrestlers in the second round of the championship bracket for the first time since 1968, went 7-3 in the round and are now one of just four teams with at least seven wrestlers in the championship quarterfinals. Penn State is only team with more at eight, while Iowa and Nebraska have seven each to tie with Oklahoma State. No other team has more than four.

"It was a good day," coach David Taylor said. "There are ups and downs at the national tournament. We've got 10 guys wrestling tomorrow, so we've got to refocus and get ready to go."

OSU won three matches with bonus points in the session, as Jax Forrest (133 pounds) defeated No. 17 T.K. Davis of Gardner-Webb by technical fall in the first period, 16-1, Sergio Vega (141 pounds) pinned No. 15 Elijah Griffin of Rider in 6:12 and Casey Swiderski (149 pounds) earned a major decision over No. 9 David Evans of Utah Valley, 14-4.

One of the most exciting Cowboy wins of the round, however, came from Troy Spratley at 125 pounds.

In a rematch of the 2025 national championship match, Spratley trailed N.C. State's Vincent Robinson, 4-0, with less than 15 seconds remaining in the second period. Spratley got to a leg a scored a takedown with 11 seconds remaining then took Robinson straight to his back for a four-point nearfall as the second period expired. He added an escape in the third then held off several shots from Robinson to earn an 8-5 win and avenge his defeat in last year's national title bout.

"He's good," Spratley said. "He's tactical, but sometimes you just have to find a way to get it done. That comes from the coaching staff and what they preach in the room. My teammates tell me I'm at my best when they get to my leg. I felt it was there and I have just never taken that opportunity and made him pay for it, and I showed that I can go get one."

OSU's other wins came from Landon Robideau at 157 pounds, Cody Merrill at 197 pounds and Konner Doucet at heavyweight. Merrill and Doucet both earned decision over top 10 opponents to advance.

LaDarion Lockett (165 pounds), Alex Facundo (174 pounds) and Zack Ryder (184 pounds) each fell in close decisions and will wrestle in the second consolation round Friday morning.

Oklahoma State is one four teams with all 10 wrestlers still competing at the tournament, joined by Penn State, Nebraska and Ohio State.

The 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships continue through March 21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, with the third session scheduled to begin Friday at 11 a.m. CT on ESPNU.

2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships
March 19, 2026 | Rocket Arena | Cleveland, Ohio
Attendance: 16,777

Session 2 (Thursday Night)

Team Standings After Session 2 (Top 10)
1. Penn State - 40.5
2. Nebraska - 27.0
3. Iowa - 25.5
4. Oklahoma State - 25.0
5. Ohio State - 23.0
6. Iowa State - 21.5
7. Arizona State - 17.0
8. Stanford - 15.0
T9. Cornell - 14.0
T9. Michigan - 14.0
T9. Virginia Tech - 14.0

Championship Second Round
125: No. 5 Troy Spratley (OSU) dec. No. 12 Vincent Robinson (NCST), 8-5
133: No. 1 Jax Forrest (OSU) TF No. 17 T.K. Davis (GW), 16-1, 2:03
141: No. 2 Sergio Vega (OSU) fall No. 15 Elijah Griffin (RID), 6:12
149: No. 8 Casey Swiderski (OSU) MD No. 9 David Evans (UVU), 14-4
157: No. 5 Landon Robideau (OSU) dec. No. 21 Charlie Millard (MINN), 7-3
165: No. 12 Cesar Alvan (COL) fall No. 5 LaDarion Lockett (OSU), SV-1, 8:04
174: No. 9 Beau Mantanona (MICH) dec. No. 8 Alex Facundo (OSU), 7-3
184: No. 6 Eddie Neitenbach (WYO) dec. No. 22 Zack Ryder (OSU), 7-2
197: No. 7 Cody Merrill (OSU) dec. No. 10 Mac Stout (PITT), 2-1
HWT: No. 7 Konner Doucet (OSU) dec. No. 10 David Szuba (ASU), 4-1

Quarterfinal Bouts (Friday Morning)
125: No. 5 Troy Spratley (OSU) vs. No. 4 Sheldon Seymour (LEH)
133: No. 1 Jax Forrest (OSU) vs. No. 8 Markel Baker (NIU)
141: No. 2 Sergio Vega (OSU) vs. No. 7 Nasir Bailey (IOWA)
149: No. 8 Casey Swiderski (OSU) vs. No. 1 Shayne Van Ness (PSU)
157: No. 5 Landon Robideau (OSU) vs. No. 4 Kaleb Larkin (ASU)
197: No. 7 Cody Merrill (OSU) vs. No. 15 Remy Cotton (RUT)
HWT: No. 7 Konner Doucet (OSU) vs. No. 2 Isaac Trumble (NCST)

Consolation Second Round Bouts (Friday Morning)
165: No. 5 LaDarion Lockett (OSU) vs. No. 6 LJ Araujo (NEB)
174: No. 8 Alex Facundo (OSU) vs. No. 23 Luca Augustine (PITT)
184: No. 22 Zack Ryder (OSU) vs. No. 28 Abraham Wojcikiewicz (STAN)