Oklahoma State Dominates West Virginia in Wrestling Match 34-3

MORGANTOWN — In a decisive match on Sunday, Oklahoma State University’s wrestling team, ranked No. 5 nationally, defeated West Virginia University (WVU) with a commanding score of 34-3. This loss marks the second consecutive defeat for the Mountaineers, who now hold a record of 5-2 for the season.

The Cowboys showcased their strength at Hope Coliseum, improving their season record to 7-1. WVU head coach Tim Flynn acknowledged the challenge, stating, “We just wrestled a much better team.” He emphasized the need for his squad to be “100 percent healthy” to compete effectively against top-tier teams like Oklahoma State.

Match Highlights and Key Performances

The dual was anticipated to feature a high-profile matchup at 157 pounds between WVU’s top wrestler, redshirt sophomore Ty Watters, and Oklahoma State’s freshman sensation Landon Robideau. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, Watters was unable to compete due to injuries sustained during a match against North Carolina just two days earlier. Flynn noted, “He’s kind of beat up… we’re gonna use it all” as the team prepares for upcoming matches.

Freshman Cole Evans stepped in for Watters but faced a formidable opponent in Robideau, who dominated the match with a final score of 21-5. Robideau’s performance included three takedowns in the first period, exemplifying the depth of talent within the Cowboys’ lineup.

Oklahoma State continued to build their lead at 174 pounds, where No. 14 redshirt junior Alex Facundo claimed a technical fall victory over freshman Leo Contino, winning 20-5. This victory extended the Cowboys’ lead to 19-3 after six matches, illustrating the disparity in talent on the mat.

WVU’s Struggles and Future Prospects

Despite the overwhelming defeat, there were bright spots for WVU. Freshman Gunner Andrick, a graduate of Point Pleasant High School, secured the Mountaineers’ only victory of the day with a narrow 4-2 win over freshman Ronnie Ramirez at 133 pounds. Andrick expressed satisfaction in competing against someone of his own age, stating, “It just feels good to grab someone kind of my age.”

At 184 pounds, No. 21 redshirt junior Ian Bush fought valiantly against No. 10 redshirt freshman Zack Ryder. The match was tightly contested, with Bush ultimately losing 2-1 after receiving a second stall warning in the final seconds. Flynn remarked on the resilience of his team, noting that while they faced significant adversity, the close matches provided valuable experience.

With four wrestlers sidelined due to injuries, WVU’s lineup was stretched thin, making the task against a fully ranked Oklahoma State team even more daunting. Flynn highlighted the importance of such matches early in the season, stating, “Anytime you compete is good to see where you are at.”

Looking ahead, the Mountaineers will have a break before facing Arizona State University on January 9, 2024. Flynn remains hopeful that Watters will return to the lineup, providing a boost to the team’s confidence. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to recovery, stating, “We have to do a bit of everything… But today, just staying in the center of the mat, and getting off the bottom are two things we’ll try to address.”

As the season progresses, WVU will seek to regain momentum and improve their performance in the upcoming dual against Arizona State.