Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Zack Ryder
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Westtown, New York
- High School:
- Minisink
Honors & Awards
NCAA All-American (2025-26)
NCAA Qualifier (2025-26)
Big 12 Wrestler of the Week (Nov. 5, 2025)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Jan. 5, 2025)
U20 World Silver Medalist (2024)
U20 U.S. Open Champion (2024)
Big 12 Winter All-Academic Team (2025-26)
2x NWCA Scholar All-American (2024-25 & 2025-26)
Cowboy Need to Know: Became an All-American at Oklahoma State in his first full season of collegiate wrestling.
2025-26 (Freshman Year): Anchored the 184-pound position in the lineup, becoming an All-American in his first season at Oklahoma State … Started all but three duals for the Cowboys … Went 16-12 overall and 7-6 in dual action … With the help of a win at the NWCA All-Star Classic, he earned the first Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honors of the season … In his first match at Gallagher-Iba Arena, he defeated Stanford’s Abraham Wojcikiewicz via a 4-2 decision … Sparked the crowd in the Iowa dual, defeating freshman Gabe Arnold in sudden victory … Entered the NCAA Championships as the No. 22 seed … Following an early loss, he made an impressive run to the top eight to become an All-American … Notable wins included a sudden victory over Virginia Tech’s No. 14 Jaden Bullock … Earned his second NWCA Scholar All-American distinction.
2024-25 (Redshirt Year at Penn State): Sat behind the NCAA’s first five-time national champion at 184 pounds at Penn State … Went 8-0 in his redshirt season, with a Southern Scuffle title … Earned a share of the Black Knight Invitational title, where he beat an eventual No. 16 seed at the national tournament … At the Southern Scuffle, pinned 2024 All-American TJ Stewart (Virginia Tech) and beat a ranked DJ Parker who advanced to the blood rounds at last year’s NCAA Championships … Earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for his performance at the Southern Scuffle.
High School: Wrestled for coach Kevin Gallagher and Scott Hendershot … Was a four-time state champion, including one as an eighth-grader … Forwent his senior season to join the M2 Training Center that David Taylor started … Two-time U17 World bronze medalist, U20 World Team silver medalist, 2022 U17 U.S. Open champion, 2023 U17 U.S. Open champion, 2024 U20 U.S. Open champion, and a Fargo champion … Was the No. 6 wrestling prospect coming out of high school.
Personal: Son of Darren and Laura Ryder … Brother of Kayla, Kenzie and Kassie … Born in Westtown, New York … Studying finance … A member of the Dean’s List at Penn State.
Zack Ryder Year-By-Year
* at Penn State
NCAA All-American (2025-26)
NCAA Qualifier (2025-26)
Big 12 Wrestler of the Week (Nov. 5, 2025)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Jan. 5, 2025)
U20 World Silver Medalist (2024)
U20 U.S. Open Champion (2024)
Big 12 Winter All-Academic Team (2025-26)
2x NWCA Scholar All-American (2024-25 & 2025-26)
Cowboy Need to Know: Became an All-American at Oklahoma State in his first full season of collegiate wrestling.
2025-26 (Freshman Year): Anchored the 184-pound position in the lineup, becoming an All-American in his first season at Oklahoma State … Started all but three duals for the Cowboys … Went 16-12 overall and 7-6 in dual action … With the help of a win at the NWCA All-Star Classic, he earned the first Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honors of the season … In his first match at Gallagher-Iba Arena, he defeated Stanford’s Abraham Wojcikiewicz via a 4-2 decision … Sparked the crowd in the Iowa dual, defeating freshman Gabe Arnold in sudden victory … Entered the NCAA Championships as the No. 22 seed … Following an early loss, he made an impressive run to the top eight to become an All-American … Notable wins included a sudden victory over Virginia Tech’s No. 14 Jaden Bullock … Earned his second NWCA Scholar All-American distinction.
2024-25 (Redshirt Year at Penn State): Sat behind the NCAA’s first five-time national champion at 184 pounds at Penn State … Went 8-0 in his redshirt season, with a Southern Scuffle title … Earned a share of the Black Knight Invitational title, where he beat an eventual No. 16 seed at the national tournament … At the Southern Scuffle, pinned 2024 All-American TJ Stewart (Virginia Tech) and beat a ranked DJ Parker who advanced to the blood rounds at last year’s NCAA Championships … Earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for his performance at the Southern Scuffle.
High School: Wrestled for coach Kevin Gallagher and Scott Hendershot … Was a four-time state champion, including one as an eighth-grader … Forwent his senior season to join the M2 Training Center that David Taylor started … Two-time U17 World bronze medalist, U20 World Team silver medalist, 2022 U17 U.S. Open champion, 2023 U17 U.S. Open champion, 2024 U20 U.S. Open champion, and a Fargo champion … Was the No. 6 wrestling prospect coming out of high school.
Personal: Son of Darren and Laura Ryder … Brother of Kayla, Kenzie and Kassie … Born in Westtown, New York … Studying finance … A member of the Dean’s List at Penn State.
Zack Ryder Year-By-Year
| Year | Overall | Dual | vs. Ranked | Fall | MD | TF | Quick |
| *2024-25 | 8-0 | -- | 2-0 | 2 | -- | 1 | 3:43 |
| 2025-26 | 16-12 | 7-6 | 8-8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6:59 |
| Career | 24-12 | 7-6 | 10-8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3:43 |
Wednesday, September 09
Tuesday, September 08
Thursday, September 03
Wednesday, September 02
