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 U.S. Open Champion (2024)
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 a 22 seed … Following an early loss, he made an impressive run to the top eight to become an All-American … Notable victories included a sudden victory win 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 10 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 … 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 U.S. Open Champion (2024)
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 a 22 seed … Following an early loss, he made an impressive run to the top eight to become an All-American … Notable victories included a sudden victory win 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 10 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 … 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 |
Thursday, August 20
Monday, August 17
Monday, August 17
Monday, August 17
