Oklahoma State vs. Mizzou

[oberebo]

125#4 Pic vs. Cameron Valdivez or Dak Punke
133 #24 Witcraft vs. Alan Hart
141 Dusty Hone vs. Alex Butler or Grant Leeth
149 Boo vs. Brock Mauler
157 Wyatt Sheets vs. Jarrett Jacques
165 Wittlake vs. Peyton Mocco
174 Joe vs. Connor Flynn or Jeremiah Kent
184 Montalvo vs. Dylan Wisman
197 Geer vs. Wyatt Koehling
285 Harris vs.Jacob Bohlken or Rodrigo Diaz

We would be heavily favored at 125.133 is a toss up match.At 141 we would be favored over Alex Butler but Leeth would be favored if he wrestles. Jarrett Jacques dec. Wyatt a year ago but Wyatt is better and I call it a toss up match with a lean toward Jacques. At 165 Wittlake would be heavily favored over Mocco. Montalvo vs. Wisman is another close one with a lean toward Montalvo. Geer is favored over Koehling. Harris vs. either heavyweight is a toss up. Too many close matches to give a score but OK State wins the dual.Left out Boo vs. Mauler the premier match of the night. Boo in a nail biter. Joe in another close match by a decision.

 

[JAY45]

Missouri seemed like an up and coming squad last year. It appears there might be some dropoff?

 

[TheJimReaper]

Leeth hasn’t really seemed himself this year. I think Hone could beat him.

 

[oberebo]

Leeth hasn’t really seemed himself this year. I think Hone could beat him.

I failed to make match predictions above. My final score is 28-3 for the good guys. I see one loss at 157 in a close match. The match of the night is Boo vs.Mauler and I say Boo by 1-2 points. I am predicting a win at 285 over either Bohlken or Diaz.

 

[Mrgrapple]

Mauler has great defense, wound up in 4 or 5 stalemates ve Thompson of UNI then got a defensive scramble takedown in OT to win. Leeth looked bad in that dual loss a major decision . Wonder if Martin gets a shot at heavyweight tomorrow.

 

[oberebo]

Mauler has great defense, wound up in 4 or 5 stalemates ve Thompson of UNI then got a defensive scramble takedown in OT to win. Leeth looked bad in that dual loss a major decision . Wonder if Martin gets a shot at heavyweight tomorrow.

I will not be in my usual seat today. Muscle spasm in my neck and in great pain. My son has my three tickets to give away. I will be listening to the mellifluous tones of J Carl and watching the matches on espn plus. I will emulate the wrestlers using hot and cold packs for the offending muscle.

 

[CowboyUp61]

I will not be in my usual seat today. Muscle spasm in my neck and in great pain. My son has my three tickets to give away. I will be listening to the mellifluous tones of J Carl and watching the matches on espn plus. I will emulate the wrestlers using hot and cold packs for the offending muscle.

 

[oberebo]

Just learned that we have 3 heavy weights today. Harris, Putnam and Brock Martin who weighed in at 240. Probably slim and none chance that he wrestles but good to see him weigh in. Match will start at 125 with all the usual suspects except at the 285 position.

 

[Wrassler17]

Obe planning to gut it out the whole dual.

No injury defaults for him, he's tougher than DeSanto.

Feel better.

 

[oberebo]

20-5 tf for pic.

 

[CowboyMedic]

Boo just lost 5 - 3 in SV1.

 

[derek_state]

Sheets just kept grinding wins dec. 8-6 OT1

 

[Travis25]

Great win for Sheets over #10 ranked wrestler. That is Sheets best win of the year and maybe the best of his career.

Tough go for Boo but does not really change how I view his odds of winning it all in March. I think Boo has another level that he and the coaches have not really pushed him to get to yet.

 

[Travis25]

Joe Smith hits big six point move in last seconds of match that looked like it was going to SV. Joe was visibly pumped after the match. Really great to see him dig deep at the end of a match and show some emotion. Not a terrific opponent but that felt like it could be a small turning point for Joe.

 

[Travis25]

Per ESPN+, Brock Martin weighed in but Putnam gets the start. Putnam weighed in at 238, Harris at 219, and Martin at 240. I am really pumped to see if Martin will get the green light next week.

 

[lincolnhs]

After watching that heavyweight match, I'm all for Brock Martin being inserted in the lineup if he's ready. It can't get any worse. Not to be rude, but Putman and Harris are scrubs.

 

[OSUMatFan]

Boo just took one too many shots and got countered. They wrestle 10 time and Boo wins 7 of them. I would rather him lose by being too aggressive than not aggressive enough. Mauler did shoot the takedown that won the match. Mizzou got two takedowns at the very beginning of the periods.

 

[oberebo]

Obe planning to gut it out the whole dual.

No injury defaults for him, he's tougher than DeSanto.

Feel better.

I might have "medicated" a little but yeah DeSanto is a whus compared to me.
On Boo's match John said in the interview "you are ahead 3-0 and decide to shut it down. He said we should have won it at least 5-0 if we had not let up. Wyatt let it all hang out and John complimented him to come back and get a takedown to take it 8-6. Jacques pronounced Jay Q according to what he told J before the match was ranked ahead of Wyatt and had beaten him 7-6 a year ago. Wyatt gained confidence as the match went on. Montalvo had another gutty victory over a veryd good senior wrestler. All in all a very good match. As far as heavy weight he got the win with a good ride in the second tie breaker. I do not think Martin is ready to wrestle and I would be shocked if he could beat Harris in a ranking match. We knock Harris but he is a good wrestler just out weighed and out powered. I think John would have put Martin out there if he was not afraid he would get embarrassed. Not that Bohlken would be the better wrestler but because of conditlioning. Wish they would have come out earlier.

 

[Travis25]

Boo just took one too many shots and got countered. They wrestle 10 time and Boo wins 7 of them. I would rather him lose by being too aggressive than not aggressive enough. Mauler did shoot the takedown that won the match. Mizzou got two takedowns at the very beginning of the periods.

I agree with this. I would also rather Boo lose here and take some pressure off himself before the big Iowa dual, Big XIIs and NCAAs. Being the undefeated #1 comes with a ton of pressure that I am not sure Boo is ready for. Hopefully this motivates him to a 1st place finish.

 

[Harleycowboy]

I agree with this. I would also rather Boo lose here and take some pressure off himself before the big Iowa dual, Big XIIs and NCAAs. Being the undefeated #1 comes with a ton of pressure that I am not sure Boo is ready for. Hopefully this motivates him to a 1st place finish.

Pic wrestled sharp except for his duck where he got knocked off balance and taken down. Nice comeback for Reece but a horrible start that cost him the match. It took Reece a couple of minutes into the match to figure out he could get away from his opponent. Hone wrestled okay. Boo struggled with takedown with lots of good shots but it seemed like Mauler is so strong in his hips that Boo would lose his grip and then be vulnerable to giving up 2 which happened to tie the match. Sheets battled from behind to win the match. Wittlake wrestled okay but he seemed to struggle losing position after shooting and getting on his opponents leg. He struggled more than normal finishing his takedowns. Also he gave up that late takedown losing the leg which seemed like a loss of focus like when he gave up the late reversal Friday night. Nice comeback for Joe and I hope this gets him going. Montalvo just keeps going and scored a lot of points which needs to continue. Solid win for Dakota. Hwt got a win which is good.

 

[oberebo]

Pic wrestled sharp except for his duck where he got knocked off balance and taken down. Nice comeback for Reece but a horrible start that cost him the match. It took Reece a couple of minutes into the match to figure out he could get away from his opponent. Hone wrestled okay. Boo struggled with takedown with lots of good shots but it seemed like Mauler is so strong in his hips that Boo would lose his grip and then be vulnerable to giving up 2 which happened to tie the match. Sheets battled from behind to win the match. Wittlake wrestled okay but he seemed to struggle losing position after shooting and getting on his opponents leg. He struggled more than normal finishing his takedowns. Also he gave up that late takedown losing the leg which seemed like a loss of focus like when he gave up the late reversal Friday night. Nice comeback for Joe and I hope this gets him going. Montalvo just keeps going and scored a lot of points which needs to continue. Solid win for Dakota. Hwt got a win which is good.

Very good recap Harley, However, I never thought Boo ran out of gas. He was ahead in the third and this is where I thought he should have let Mauler make his shot and then counter. It is a chess match which Mauler came out on top. Hopefully, we prevail in the big 12. I thought it was low class of Mauler to taunt the crowd. It may backfire on him in the future.

 

[Harleycowboy]

Very good recap Harley, However, I never thought Boo ran out of gas. He was ahead in the third and this is where I thought he should have let Mauler make his shot and then counter. It is a chess match which Mauler came out on top. Hopefully, we prevail in the big 12. I thought it was low class of Mauler to taunt the crowd. It may backfire on him in the future.

Oberebo I didn't think he was gassed, the problem was Boo would shoot and get on the legs but Mauler must have very strong hips and Boo could not keep his grip on the leg. Boo was on the legs but Mauler sprawls and boo would no longer be on the legs and have a hold of nothing and be vulnerable ( where the match was tied). Or maybe they were bad shots and Boo just never got a good grip on Maulers legs with the shots. Maybe a combination was the problem. Boo gets on the legs he needs to keep a hold of the legs or leg. Your right I would like to see Boo take Mauler down at conference and nationals.

 

[CowboyUp61]

Your right I would like to see Boo take Mauler down at conference and nationals.

Definitely won't see him at conference. But I also thing Boo wins the next one.

 

[Travis25]

In the post match interview John was asked about Brock Martin. He was very positive about Martin's ability but stated that he still has a ways to go on conditioning. John seemed to imply that Martin was the caliber of wrestler that he would have wanted to sign coming out of high school if he weren't such a touted football recruit.

If I were Coach Smith, I would consider improving Martin's conditioning over the next month and then throwing him out there at Big XIIs. Neither Harris nor Putnam have any chance of stealing a bid to NCAAs. Martin probably does not either, but at least there will not be any tape on him and he would be fresh.

 

[skylinepoke]

A really good wrestling match between 2 teams with opposite styles. I’m glad that we won in a convincing fashion but I was worn out by squirming in my seat. I thought for the most part, we wrestled hard and determined but give Mizzou credit for finding ways to counter our attacks. I thought Montalvo gutted out a good victory along with Sheets.

 

[Harleycowboy]

Definitely won't see him at conference. But I also thing Boo wins the next one.

That is right that if you are in different conferences its hard for 2 wrestlers to meet in the conference tournament. I showed my age there. Lots of years with Missouri in the conference. Plus the forgetful thing.

 

[CowboyUp61]

That is right that if you are in different conferences its hard for 2 wrestlers to meet in the conference tournament. I showed my age there. Lots of years with Missouri in the conference. Plus the forgetful thing.

understand completely, politics kept them from staying for wrestling. To the detriment of the conference.

 

[Air_Thurman]

Really proud of Joe. When he gave up that four point move it felt like we were headed to a really bad Joe performance. Great to see him fight back and get a clutch takedown to win. How can you not love Montalvo? No one is going to want to draw that kid at nationals.

All the pointless Wittlake hand wringing this summer was dumb. Kid is going to win a lot of matches here.

Outside of the UNI dual, most of our guys seems to be headed in the right direction. I've been really impressed with out conditioning this year.

 

[TheJimReaper]

All the pointless Wittlake hand wringing this summer was dumb. Kid is going to win a lot of matches here.

Yep. I’m ashamed to admit I got a bit caught up in that but I’m glad I was wrong. Wittlake has been awesome ever since the Scuffle.

 

[tfpoke]

Very good recap Harley, However, I never thought Boo ran out of gas. He was ahead in the third and this is where I thought he should have let Mauler make his shot and then counter. It is a chess match which Mauler came out on top. Hopefully, we prevail in the big 12. I thought it was low class of Mauler to taunt the crowd. It may backfire on him in the future.

You could hear Smith telling him to get another takedown with about 35 seconds left.... I kind of cringed, thinking I hope he doesn't take a poor shot and get countered.

 

[chasepollard]

You could hear Smith telling him to get another takedown with about 35 seconds left.... I kind of cringed, thinking I hope he doesn't take a poor shot and get countered.

Smith is all gas, no brake. Boo wins that match 90% of the time.

 

[Harleycowboy]

Yep. I’m ashamed to admit I got a bit caught up in that but I’m glad I was wrong. Wittlake has been awesome ever since the Scuffle.

I expressed concerns about how Wittlake wrestled last year in season and in the freestyle season. I was dissatisfied with what I saw in his wrestling. He is young and of course improvement would occur but how much is the question. Wittlake has jumped an entire level since then. I have been very satisfied with his improvement but that improvement needs to continue. Coach Smith knows that also because he seemed to say that him and Wittlake are not in the same wavelength yet with how he is wrestling but Coach Smith says the good news is Wittlake is a hard worker. Coach Smith can see Wittlake needs more offense, confidence and aggression to be the wrestler we need him to be. At the Southern Scuffle he had good defense against Griffith and only gave up 1 takedown but he did not get close to a takedown also he got rode quite hard in that match. If we want to get to 35 our chances improve greatly if Wittlake becomes a finalist wrestler versus a guy who wins lots of matches and challenges to be an all American each year. We need superstars down the road and Wittlake has the potential to be a superstar. He has a good ankle pick but he needs more attacks and general improvement. He is now wrestling close to where he should be but last year he wasn't. I have enjoyed watching this improvement along, with Montalvo but that improvement needs to continue. Coach Smith goal and what message he is giving is right " I like how they are wrestling in some ways but they need to get better". That was my message also. I would like for us to become number 1 while I am still alive. Oberebo probably understands but Oberebo is much more accepting, than I am.

 

[oberebo]

Maybe oberebo is more "accepting" because he thinks he is going to live to 98. That is only 20 more years. At about 88 I will begin my clamor for a national championship. Actually Harley, I do want another win or 2 or 3 more wins before I pass on and time is slipping by. I think with what we have recruited that it might be possible in 2-3 years. This year I am entering my 7th decade of watching Cowboy wrestling as my first match was probably December of 1960 or whenever we wrestled OU at home that year. I do not have to see a national championship every year but I hate it when we slip below the top five. It is now too many years since our last one. Help out an old man or two and win one for oberebo and Harley.
LETS GO POKES!!!

 

[Wrassler17]

Without going down the Wittlake rabbit hole (hopefully), I've got some thoughts on why we've seen improvement this year...

IMO, two things have contributed to it. The first is Wittlake being down at 165. He was a little out horsed at 174 (& 79 kg) last year. He seems to be managing his weight well and it's showing. I think 165 is a perfect weight for him.

The second (and more important) thing is that his confidence is growing. Bedlam was a turning point. He barely beat a 149 lb true freshman. Wittlake won 3-2, while Boo majored that same guy the month before. If you listen to the radio show, John was clearly frustrated and made some candid remarks. They were not mean spirited, but they were blunt. And they were meant to challenge Wittlake. It reasonated and we saw the difference at the Scuffle.

Post Scuffle, John has continued to mention Wittlake's skills and athletic ability. When Wittlake has a solid win, John says he could have done even more. I think John knows Wittlake has another level or 2 in him and John is trying to unlock it.