James Hackney
The Sooners are having a great start to the season, staying undefeated through the first month of the year. They’ll have their toughest match yet, as they take on returning Big 12 champs Missouri on the road. The Tigers demolished a short handed Arizona State team, and have nine wrestlers in the rankings. OU is favored in three matches, and will need some upsets if they want to get the win. Big opportunities are at 133 and 174, where the Sooners could make things interesting. Coach Roger Kish has the team looking solid, and this will be a great test to see where they stack up against the top teams. If OU can limit the bonus points and score some upsets, a win is unlikely but not impossible.
125lbs: Conrad Hendricksen (6-1) vs #15 Noah Surtin (5-0)
Hendriksen has stepped up well in the lineup, staying undefeated in duals. He gets his first ranked opponent here, who is a returning Big 12 champ. Surtin is typically known for big moves and a stifling top game, but has shown more leg offense this season. Hendricksen works his underhook and positioning well, but that could be risky against someone like Surtin. If Hendricksen can clamp down positionally and try to find counter scores or make Surtin force something, he could make this match interesting. He will also have to get out from bottom, which he has been good at this season. I’m taking Surtin, but Hendricksen keeping it close.
Prediction: Surtin Dec. Hendricksen (MIZ 3 OU 0)
133lbs: #33 Jace Koelzer (6-2) vs #32 Zeke Seltzer (2-2)
This is a big match for both wrestlers as they are on the rankings bubble. Koelzer has looked solid this year, and with it being the second year at 133 I think has some upside. Seltzer is a redshirt freshman who actually beat Koelzer at the Cougar Clash last year in a 4-1 decision…
