James Hackney
Oklahoma – 33rd Place (7.5 Points)
The Sooners have Stephen Buchanan and Josh Heindselman with both in the bloodround tonight. Buchanan is favored and the Sooners could use his placement points, which could push them into the top 30.
149lbs: #21 Willie McDougald – DNP
- Champ. Round 1: #21 Willie McDougald Dec. #12 Ethen Miller (MARY) (5-4)
- Champ. Round 2: #5 Ty Watters (WVU) Maj. #21 Willie McDougald (9-0)
- Cons. Round 2: #11 Quinn Kinner (RID) Dec. #21 Willie McDougald (4-3)
McDougald had a controversial last match against Kinner, where it looked like he had scored a takedown while down that went to review. It started with Kinner scoring a takedown in the last minute that McDougald escaped with short time. The second period wasn’t too crazy, but the third period got weird. McDougald chose bottom and got to his feet, but Kinner hit an illegal cutback to give him a point and make it a one point match after a McDougald escape. McDougald then was furiously attacking with short time and nearly scored, but the refs were in no hurry to call a match tieing stall call. McDougald had an up and down season but still wrestled tough in the postseason.
197lbs: #8 Stephen Buchanan
- Champ. Round 1: #8 Stephen Buchanan Tech #25 Ben Smith (CSU) (5:16 18-1)
- Champ. Round 2: #8 Stephen Buchanan Maj. #9 Stephen Little (LR) (14-3)
- Quarterfinals: #1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) Fall #8 Stephen Buchanan (2:45)
Next Match: Bloodround – #14 John Poznanski
Buchanan had a big chance against Aaron Brooks, but Brooks is a three-time champ for a reason. Brooks scored an early takedown and was pushing for another one when he put Buchanan to his back with a strong half. Buchanan isn’t done yet though…
