Oklahoma State Sends All 10 Wrestlers To NCAA Championships As Program Eyes Peak Performance Oklahoma State University has made history by sending all 10 of its wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, with top seed Jax Forrest leading the charge. The Cowboys, who secured their second consecutive Big 12 title, now face the national tournament as one of six programs bringing their full lineup to the event. The team’s dominance in the Big 12 Championships, where nine wrestlers earned top-eight seeds, has positioned Oklahoma State as a formidable contender in Cleveland. Forrest, the 133-pounder, dominated the Big 12 tournament, outscoring his opponents 70-12 and advancing without allowing a takedown. His performance earned him the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Championships, a feat bolstered by his 15-2 victory over Arizona State’s Kyler Larkin. “It’s just wrestling,” Forrest said after his Big 12 finals win. “It’s what I train every day, multiple times a day, early mornings, late nights, is for times like this. I wasn’t thinking about Big 12s until a few weeks ago. In my mind, this is just a stepping stone to nationals.” Oklahoma State’s success in the Big 12 was highlighted by four champions: Troy Spratley (125), Casey Swiderski (149), Sergio Vega (141), and Forrest. Other Cowboys, including Landon Robideau (157), LaDarion Lockett (165), Alex Facundo (174), and Konner Doucet (285), finished as runners-up or placed in the top eight. Coach David Taylor emphasized the team’s focus on growth rather than immediate victory. “We’ve never one time talked about winning this tournament,” Taylor said. “We’re focused on being our best version at the end of the year.” Despite the team’s strong showing, Forrest acknowledged areas for improvement. “We came in here kind of overlooking it,” he said.#casey_swiderski #oklahoma_state_university #jax_forrest #troy_spratley #sergio_vega
2026 NCAA Wrestling Championship Preview & Predictions - 149 Pounds The 149-pound weight class has been one of the most unpredictable and competitive divisions in collegiate wrestling this season. Shayne Van Ness, the top-ranked wrestler since the start of the year, has dominated the rankings, but the class has seen 13 different athletes ranked in the top five at various points. This unpredictability raises questions about whether the chaos will continue in the NCAA Championships, where the bracket promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Van Ness enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed and the only undefeated wrestler in the field, with a 21-0 record and a 77.3% bonus rate. His victories include ranked wins over Ethan Stiles, Lachlan McNeil, and several other top contenders. However, his performance at the Big Ten Tournament, where he needed come-from-behind wins against Ryder Block and Lachlan McNeil, has sparked doubts about his readiness for the national stage. Despite his dominance, Van Ness has yet to win an NCAA title, leaving room for uncertainty about his ability to secure the championship this year. The field is crowded with talent, including Carter Young of Maryland, Aden Valencia of Stanford, and Casey Swiderski of Oklahoma State. Young, who finished third at the Big Ten Championships, has shown improvement in the second half of the season, with a strong 10-3 record. Valencia, despite a loss to Van Ness, has a 24-1 record and a 69.2% bonus rate, making him a formidable contender. Swiderski, who went 10-3 in the second half of the season, has a tough draw but is expected to make a deep run. Other notable wrestlers include Lachlan McNeil of Michigan, who rebounded from a slow start to finish third at the Big Ten Championships.#ncaa_wrestling_championship #shayne_van_ness #carter_young #aden_valencia #casey_swiderski
