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BLACKSBURG, VA – The No. 3 Oklahoma State wrestling team secured a 19-12 victory over No. 6 Virginia Tech Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum, extending their winning streak to 11 consecutive duals. The Cowboys (14-1) took six of the ten bouts, highlighted by a dominant performance from No. 2 Sergio Vega and a hard-fought win from freshman Jax Forrest. The loss drops Virginia Tech to 10-3 on the season.
The dual featured several highly anticipated matchups, including a rematch of a 2025 NCAA semifinal at 125 pounds. Oklahoma State’s success hinged on key victories and a strong showing from their ranked wrestlers, ultimately proving too much for the Hokies on their home turf. The Cowboys demonstrated resilience and tactical prowess, securing crucial points throughout the afternoon.
The afternoon began with a tightly contested match at 125 pounds, where No. 3 Eddie Ventresca of Virginia Tech edged out No. 7 Troy Spratley of Oklahoma State, 2-1, in tiebreakers. Although, Oklahoma State quickly responded as No. 10 Jax Forrest (133) delivered a significant win against No. 6 Aaron Seidel, 10-9. Forrest, an unbeaten freshman, rallied after falling behind early, securing a takedown and near fall points to claim the victory.
“It was a crazy match,” Forrest said. “I had to fight through some adversity with the crowd and being down early. I knew I needed a rally, and that’s what I did. Scored some points, got a takedown and some back points, and then rode him out. It was a crazy match, but it all worked out… He’s having a exceptionally good year, so I knew I had to find a way to dig deep and come out on top.”
No. 2 Sergio Vega (141) then extended the Cowboys’ lead with an impressive 11-2 major decision over No. 22 Tom Crook, earning a bonus point for Oklahoma State. Vega’s performance was a key factor in the Cowboys’ overall success, contributing to his undefeated season and tying him with teammate Dee Lockett for the team lead in ranked wins.
Cowboys Dominate Middle Weights
The momentum continued for Oklahoma State as No. 7 Landon Robideau (157) defeated No. 16 Ethen Miller, 3-2, improving to 13-1 on the season. At 165 pounds, No. 2 LaDarion Lockett secured an 8-2 victory over No. 33 Mac Church, showcasing his early takedown prowess. Lockett and Vega are a combined 27-0 with 16 combined ranked wins, demonstrating their dominance this season.
No. 7 Alex Facundo (174) added to the Cowboys’ tally with a 4-1 decision over No. 30 Sergio DeSiante, completing a remarkable turnaround after a slow start to the season. Facundo has won 13 of his last 14 contests, demonstrating significant improvement and consistency.
Virginia Tech Fights Back, But Falls Short
Virginia Tech managed to secure victories at 149 pounds, with Drew Gorman defeating Beau Hickman 4-1 in sudden victory, and at 197 pounds, where No. 14 Sonny Sasso edged out No. 7 Cody Merrill, 2-1. However, these wins weren’t enough to overcome the Cowboys’ consistent performance in the other bouts.
The final bout of the day saw No. 7 Konner Doucet (HWT) seal the victory for Oklahoma State with a 6-1 decision over No. 17 Jimmy Mullen, preventing any potential comeback from the Hokies. Doucet’s win marked his 13th of the season and sixth against a ranked opponent.
Oklahoma State will next face No. 8 Iowa on Sunday, February 22, at 5 p.m. In a rematch of the National Duals Invitational semifinals. This upcoming match promises another challenging test for the Cowboys as they continue their pursuit of a national championship.
Match Results:
| Weight Class | Result |
|---|---|
| 125 | No. 3 Eddie Ventresca (VT) dec. No. 7 Troy Spratley (OSU), 2-1 TB-2 |
| 133 | No. 10 Jax Forrest (OSU) dec. No. 6 Aaron Seidel (VT), 10-9 |
| 141 | No. 2 Sergio Vega (OSU) MD No. 22 Tom Crook (VT), 11-2 |
| 149 | Drew Gorman (VT) dec. Beau Hickman (OSU), 4-1 SV |
| 157 | No. 7 Landon Robideau (OSU) dec. No. 16 Ethen Miller (VT), 3-2 |
| 165 | No. 2 LaDarion Lockett (OSU) dec. No. 33 Mac Church (VT), 8-2 |
| 174 | No. 7 Alex Facundo (OSU) dec. No. 30 Sergio DeSiante (VT), 4-1 |
| 184 | No. 32 Jaden Bullock (VT) dec. Trevor Dopps (OSU), 2-0 |
| 197 | No. 14 Sonny Sasso (VT) dec. No. 7 Cody Merrill (OSU), 2-1 |
| HWT | No. 7 Konner Doucet (OSU) dec. No. 17 Jimmy Mullen (VT), 6-1 |
The Oklahoma State Cowboys continue to demonstrate their strength in collegiate wrestling, and their upcoming match against Iowa will be a crucial test as they aim for championship contention. Share your thoughts on the Cowboys’ performance in the comments below.
