James Hackney
Oklahoma – 23rd Place (20.0 Points)
The Sooners secured their highest NCAA finish since 13th in 2016 thanks to Stephen Buchanan’s strong 3rd place finish. Josh Heindselman had a strong tournament that ended in the bloodround. In Coach Kish’s second year next season there are only improved expectations after this finish.
197lbs: #8 Stephen Buchanan – 3rd
- 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)
- Bloodround: #8 Stephen Buchanan Dec. #14 John Poznanski (RUT) (TB 2-1)
- Cons. Round 5: #8 Stephen Buchanan Maj. #4 Michael Beard (LEH) (12-1)
- Cons. Semis: #8 Stephen Buchanan Dec. #3 Tanner Sloan (SDSU) (6-2)
- 3rd Place Match: #8 Stephen Buchanan Dec. #5 Jacob Cardenas (CORN) (9-4)
Buchanan had a great second day with two upsets to finish 3rd for the second time in his career. He avenged a regular season loss to Sloan with a reversal and late takedown to clinch it. He followed that up with two takedowns and another reversal against Cardenas, a two-time All-American. Buchanan scored three big bonus point victories which combined with his 3rd place finish pushed…
