Jonathan Dickson
STILLWATER – The No. 4 Oklahoma State wrestling team collected two dual wins to open its 2021 season Sunday in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys notched a 32-9 victory over Chattanooga before taking down Oregon State 29-8 later in the day.
The Pokes collected five bonus-point wins in their match against Chattanooga including major decisions from freshman Dustin Plott and AJ Ferrari. Fellow freshman Trevor Mastrogiovanni also picked up an 8-2 decision to open the dual for the Cowboys.
The trio of true freshman in the OSU starting lineup went a combined 6-0 on the day with four bonus-point wins. Mastrogiovanni collected decisions in both matches, while Dustin Plott earned a 10-2 major decision over UTC’s Hunter Fortner and a technical fall over Colton Beisley. AJ Ferrari looked the part of the No. 1 recruit in the nation in his dual debut winning both of his matches by major decisions.
“It was good to see them step out after all three of them have had long years without a lot of wrestling because of injuries,” Oklahoma State head coach John Smith said. “I was pleased with the effort and obviously we’re not where we will end up, but it was a good start for all three of them.”
Boo Lewallen added to the scoring earning two tech falls in his matches with an 18-3 defeat of Oregon State’s Lane Stigall coming in the first period. Ranked fourth in the nation, Lewallen attacked his opponents early and often leading to plenty of scoring opportunities.
“I have a big commitment to myself of making sure I start my matches the way I want to start them and not standing around with guys,” Lewallen said. “I’m making sure this is an opportunity I can separate myself and if I need to do that.”
After Chattanooga forfeited its match at 141 pounds, Kaid Brock returned to the mat for his first dual since Feb. 24, 2019. No. 8 Brock notched his first ranked win of the season defeating No. 18 Grant Willits of Oregon State 8-4.
No. 4 Travis Wittlake was one of seven OSU wrestlers to go 2-0 on the day with a 7-3 decision over Andrew Nicholson (UTC) and an 8-2 decision against Mateo Olmos (Oregon State). Joining Wittlake at 2-0 were Dakota Geer at 184 pounds and Austin Harris at heavyweight. Geer notched a major decision in his first match of the day, defeating No. 14 Matthew Waddell (UTC) 12-3 before collecting an 11-5 decision in the Oregon State dual. Harris closed out both duals in exciting fashion for the Cowboys, including getting a takedown of Oregon State’s Brian Barnes in sudden victory.
With two wins today, John Smith collected his 440th and 441st dual wins as a head coach passing J Robinson for fourth on the all-time Division 1 coaching wins list. He sits one win behind Gary Taylor for third place.
Smith will have a chance to continue moving up the list when Oklahoma State travels to Little Rock next Sunday for duals against SIU-Edwardsville and Little Rock.
No. 4 Oklahoma State 32, Chattanooga 9
Jan. 10, 2021 | Gallagher-Iba Arena | Stillwater, Okla.
Attendance: 2,077
125: Trevor Mastrogiovanni (OSU) dec. Fabian Gutierrez (UTC) 8-2
133: Colton Landers (UTC) dec. Andrew Nieman (OSU) 9-4
141: No. 8 Kaid Brock (OSU) Forfeit
149: No. 4 Boo Lewallen (OSU) TF George Coleman (UTC), 20-4, 4:25
157: Weston Wichman (UTC) Fall Jalin Harper (OSU), 4:44
165: No. 4 Travis Wittlake (OSU) dec. Drew Nicholson (UTC) 7-3
174: Dustin Plott (OSU) MD Hunter Fortner (UTC) 10-2
184: No. 10 Dakota Geer (OSU) MD No. 14 Matthew Waddell (UTC) 12-3
197: AJ Ferrari (OSU) MD Logan Andrew (UTC) 16-5
HWT: Austin Harris (OSU) dec. Grayson Walthall (UTC) 9-6
No. 4 Oklahoma State 29, Oregon State 8
Jan. 10, 2021 | Gallagher-Iba Arena | Stillwater, Okla.
Attendance: 2,077
125: Trevor Mastrogiovanni (OKST) dec. Brandon Kaylor (ORST) 7-4
133: Jason Shaner (ORST) dec. Reece Witcraft (OKST) 6-4
141: No. 8 Kaid Brock (OKST) dec. No. 18 Grant Willits (ORST), 8-4
149: No. 4 Boo Lewallen (OKST) TF Lane Stigall (ORST), 18-3, 3:00
157: No. 20 Hunter Willits (ORST) TF Daniel Manibog (OKST), 16-0, 3:12
165: No. 4 Travis Wittlake (OKST) dec. Aaron Olmos (ORST) 8-2
174: Dustin Plott (OKST) TF Colton Beisley (ORST), 19-4, 5:55
184: No. 10 Dakota Geer (OKST) dec. Ryan Reyes (ORST) 11-5
197: AJ Ferrari (OKST) MD J.J. Dixon (ORST) 16-3
HWT: Austin Harris (OKST) dec. Brian Barnes (ORST), SV-1 7-5
