RECAP: No. 1 Oklahoma State wrestling routs No. 16 Minnesota 34-3

The top-ranked Oklahoma State wrestling team recorded four bonus-point wins in a 34-3 victory over No. 16 Minnesota on Sunday afternoon at Minnesota Sports Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On paper, the Gophers were favorites to win two bouts but Cowboy heavyweight Austin Schafter had other plans. Schafter upset No. 5 Michael Kroells for the first career win over a ranked opponent with a 3-2 decision. Schafter, a senior, grabbed the decisive takedown with 30 seconds left in the third, and although Kroells escaped, Schafter held on for the win.

The Gophers were also favorites at 197 pounds with No. 2 Brett Pfarr up against OSU’s No. 5 Preston Weigel. It was the second straight win for Pfarr over a ranked opponent without giving up a takedown.

The Cowboys (2-0) opened the dual with a 18-0 lead. No. 3 Anthony Collica recorded a 6-4 decision with riding time over Fredy Stroker in his season debut for the Cowboys. Jonce Blaylock filled in for No. 3 Joe Smith at 157 pounds with a 5-4 decision over Minnesota’s Carson Brolsma. Blaylock entered the third peirod down 4-3, but grabbed a takedown in the final 30 seconds for the win.

Fourth-ranked Chandler Rogers recorded the Cowboys’ first bonus-point win with a fall at 1 minute, 24 seconds against Brandon Kingsley. It was Rogers’ second pin of the season to move him to 5-0 in his redshirt sophomore season.

Seniors No. 4 Kyle Crutchmer and No. 5 Nolan Boyd both won by decision at 171 and 184 pounds, respectively. Following Schafter’s upset win, redshirt freshmen Nick Piccininni and Kaid Brock, and top-ranked Dean Heil recorded bonus-point victories to close out the dual.

Picininni, ranked No. 11, poured on the points for a 17-1 technical fall against Skyler Petry at 125 pounds. Brock had an takedown less than 10 seconds against Mitch McKee to take a 3-2 lead after the first. He continued to push the pace with a four-point nearfall in the second en route to a 10-2 major decision. Heil had five takedowns and more than four minutes of riding time for a 12-3 major decision over Gannon Volk.

The Cowboys will head into Big 12 action against No. 17 Oklahoma on Friday in Norman.

No. 1 Oklahoma State 34, No. 16 Minnesota 3

149: No. 3 Anthony Collica (OKST) 6-4 dec. Fredy Stroker (MINN), 3-0
157: Jonce Blaylock (OKST) 5-4 dec. Carson Brolsma (MINN), 6-0
165: No. 4 Chandler Rogers (OKST) 1:24 fall Brandon Kingsley (MINN), 12-0
171: No. 4 Kyle Crutchmer (OKST) 7-5 dec. No. 17 Nick Wanzek (MINN), 15-0
184: No. 5 Nolan Boyd (OKST) 2-1 dec. Bobby Steveson (MINN), 18-0
197: No. 2 Brett Pfarr (MINN) 7-2 dec. No. 5 Preston Weigel (OKST), 18-3
285: Austin Schafer (OKST) 3-2 dec. No. 5 Michael Kroells (MINN), 21-3
125: No. 11 Nick Piccininni (OKST) 17-1 tech fall Skyler Petry (MINN), 26-3
133: No. 7 Kaid Brock (OKST) 10-2 major dec. vs. Mitch McKee (MINN), 30-3
141: No. 1 Dean Heil (OKST) 12-3 major dec. Gannon Volk (MINN), 34-3