Release provided by Oklahoma State Sports Information
STILLWATER – Several Oklahoma State wrestlers compete Saturday and Sunday at U23 Nationals and the U20 World Team Trials at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio.
The group includes 14 current or incoming Cowboys with eight registered in the U23 freestyle division and six set to compete in the U20 freestyle brackets.
The event features a full challenge tournament and best-of-three championship series. Each U20 bracket has a seat in the championship series reserved for winners at last month’s U.S. Open, but the U23 division does not. This weekend’s champions in the U20 competition will seal their place at the World Championships this fall, while the U23 winners do not automatically make Team USA due to the possibility of age-eligible athletes on the Senior National Team electing to take the spot.
Thanks to his title at the U.S. Open, incoming freshman LaDarion Lockett awaits the 74kg challenger in a best-of-three series. Lockett’s summer has been nothing short of stellar as he’s put together a perfect 9-0 record and outscored his opponents 70-11. Lockett has claimed a gold medal at the Senior Pan-American Championships and a U20 U.S. Open title.
Other incoming freshmen Sergio Vega (65kg), Landon Robideau (70kg), Kody Routledge (70kg) and Ishmael Guerrero (74kg) also take the mat this weekend in hopes of qualifying for Team USA’s U20 squad. Former top-10 recruit Cody Merrill (92kg) aims to build on last year’s finish, as he fell just one match shy of the championship series.
After posting six wins and a podium finish in the U23 division last year, Brayden Thompson aims to best the 86kg field, where he’ll be joined by teammate Jersey Robb.
Sam Smith (57kg), Cutter Sheets (70kg) and Benjamin Mower (92kg) all make returns to their respective U23 brackets after recording multiple wins in the tournament last year.
Hayden Simpson (125kg) enters the U23 freestyle field after falling short in his title bout in the U20 Greco-Roman division last year.
Elsewhere in the U23 division, Kolter Burton (65kg) and Colin Young (74kg) also compete in this weekend’s action.
Action begins Friday, May 30, with Greco-Roman competition for both age groups. The freestyle tournaments begin Saturday morning, concluding with the U20 division that night and the U23 brackets Sunday morning.
Fans can follow along with streaming options on FloWrestling.org, results on usabracketing.com and live updates from @CowboyWrestling on the X app.
Saturday, May 31 (All times CT and are subject to change)
Session One
8:30 a.m. – U20 FS Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Challenge Finals, and Consolations
8:30 a.m. – U23 FS Preliminaries and Consolations
Session Two
3 p.m. – U20 FS Medal Matches and Championship Series
3 p.m. – U23 FS Preliminaries and Consolations
Sunday, June 1
Session Three
9 a.m. – U23 FS Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Medal Matches, and Championship Series
