No. 8 Cowboys Take Out the Sooners, 29-9

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State wrestling squad finished Big 12 competition with an unblemished 3-0 record, defeating in-state rival and No. 10 Oklahoma, 29-9, in front of more than 5,000 fans. The Pokes are now 8-4 on the season, winning four-straight duals.

OSU redeemed an early-season loss to the Sooners in a non-conference dual in December.

“I like the score, and 29 points in Bedlam tells you that you won a lot of matches and scored some good bonus points,” Smith said. “The matchups were a little different than I thought, but it’s definitely something that we can move forward with. Getting back on the winning side of Bedlam is always good.”

Bonus points came early in Gallagher-Iba Arena as No. 20 Eddie Klimara stuck Sean Williams, who replaced an injured Jarrod Patterson, early in the second period, giving the Cowboys a swing of momentum heading into a top-10 matchup at 133 pounds.

“I’ve really been working on my technique when I’m on top,” Klimara said. “His arms started to get tired, and the move wasn’t really a decision I had to make. These past couple matches, I’ve ​just been going out there and wrestling instead of over thinking it. That has helped me out a lot.”

No. 4 Jon Morrison improved to 5-0 in the series against No. 7 Cody Brewer, earning a 7-3 decision. The Orland Park, Ill., native is 6-1 against ranked opponents on the season.

Anthony Collica, ranked 20^th in the nation at 141 pounds, shut out returning All-American Nick Lester, 4-0. It was his second win over Lester this season.

Another top-10 matchup was in order at 149 pounds as No. 10 Josh Kindig faced No. 2 Kendric Maple. Kindig scored the first points in the bout with a second-period escape, but he could not overcome Maple’s attacks and was handed a 7-3 loss.

No. 2 Alex Dieringer answered by adding five more points for the Pokes with his 18-2 technical fall over OU’s Dryden Dennis, who filled in for Justin DeAngelis. The bout was finished in just under six minutes, with Dieringer collecting a heap of points, including five takedowns and two nearfalls.

At 165 pounds, No. 5 Tyler Caldwell defeated Clark Glass for the second time this season, pulling out a 5-1 win over the Sooner.

Chris Perry, ranked No. 2 in the nation, was denied a much-anticipated rematch against top-ranked Andrew Howe at 174 pounds. He instead faced off against Derek Geiges, who he pinned in 1:51.

At 184 pounds, Jordan Rogers took on Howe. The Cowboy put up a fight but was defeated, 9-2, marking the Pokes second loss of the day.

Nolan Boyd bumped up to 197 pounds, where he went head-to-head with No. 4 Travis Rutt. Boyd earned four escapes, but it was not enough as Rutt walked away with a 9-4 victory. That would be the last win for the crimson and cream.

No. 19 Austin Marsden closed out the dual with a win, scoring five points in the final 10 seconds to defeat Zach Merrill, 8-2.

Oklahoma State returns to action next week, traveling to Clarion, Pa., to take on the Golden Eagles on Saturday before heading to State College, Pa., to face the No. 1 Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday.

No. 8 Oklahoma State 29, No. 10 Oklahoma 9
Feb. 9, 2014 :: Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater, Okla.) :: Attendance – 5,135

125: No. 20 Eddie Klimara (OSU) fall Sean Williams (OU), 3:31
133: No. 4 Jon Morrison (OSU) dec. No. 7 Cody Brewer (OU), 7-3
141: No. 17 Anthony Collica (OSU) vs. No. 20 Nick Lester (OU), 4-0
149: No. 2 Kendric Maple (OU) dec. No. 10 Josh Kindig (OSU), 7-3
157: No. 2 Alex Dieringer (OSU) TF5 Dryden Dennis (OU), 18-2
165: No. 5 Tyler Caldwell (OSU) dec. Clark Glass (OU), 5-1
174: No. 2 Chris Perry (OSU) fall Derek Geiges (OU), 1:51
184: Andrew Howe (OU) dec. Jordan Rogers (OSU), 9-2
197: No. 4 Travis Rutt (OSU) dec. Nolan Boyd (OSU), 9-4
285: No. 19 Austin Marsden (OSU) dec. Zach Merrill (OU), 8-2