James Hackney
#10 Oklahoma State (11-2) vs #15 South Dakota State (11-2)
Feb. 10th @7PM on ESPN+ or FloWrestling
After back to back top ten wins bumped them into the top ten, the Cowboys hit the road again to take on another tough conference team. South Dakota State dropped their first two matches, but have won ten in a row. The team features eight ranked wrestlers, including two in the top ten. OK State has some surging wrestlers that will have an opportunity to get another big win on their resume.
The team’s dual ranking is in the top ten, but due to some of the lower rankings they are still in the teens for tournament rankings. If they were to be able to get some big wins here, they’d climb in those rankings as well. With that, here are some things to watch out for headed into the dual.
Can Reece Witcraft get a ranked win?
With Witcraft looking like the starter for the postseason, he has some work to do if he wants to earn a qualifying spot for the conference. To earn an allocation a wrestler must meet two of three criteria: be in the coaches ranking, top 30 RPI ranking, or 0.700 win percentage. Currently Witcraft has the win percentage (0.700 exactly), but needs more ranked matches at 125.
It is an uphill battle to earn one, but he has a chance to get on the right path with a win here. Jordan is in the rankings after starting for the second year in a row, but it’s a winnable match for Witcraft. He’s had close losses to higher ranked opponents recently. I think with another week down at the weight he’ll break through with a win here.
