Oklahoma State wrestling: Cowboy commits go 0-2 at ‘Who’s Number One?’

Oklahoma State wrestling Class of 2020 commits Jakason Burks and Trevor Mastrogiovanni both fell short of earning the No. 1 ranking in the country Saturday at FloWrestling’s “Who’s Number One” showcase at Carver Hawkeye-Arena in Iowa City.

Burks of Omaha, Nebraska, wrestled Iowa commit Jesse Ybarra in folkstyle at 120 pounds in a classic clash of OSU and Iowa styles. Burks and Ybarra didn’t pursue any attacks in the first then each recorded an escape in the opening 10 seconds of the second and third period, respectively. Ybarra pushed the action in the final minute and forced Burks out of bounds once before returning to the center and securing a match-winning takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Burks is now 0-2 at WNO after dropping a 6-4 decision to Greg Diakomihalis of Cornell in 2018.

Mastrogiovanni of Blair Academy in New Jersey met a familiar foe at 126 pounds in freestyle in Penn State commit Robbie Howard, who wrestles for another New Jersey powerhouse at Bergen Catholic. Howard had a quick takedown and gut wrench to go up 4-0 at the break and Mastrogiovanni didn’t really attempt to generate any offense the rest of the way. The future Cowboy picked up two step out points late in the second as he tried to lock up with double underhooks and go for inside trips or a throw in the 4-2 loss.

Another OSU commit in Dustin Plott of Tuttle was originally scheduled to compete, but was pulled from the event due to an undisclosed reasons.

Mastrogiovanni’s younger brother, Travis, who is uncommitted, fell 5-3 to Arizona State commit Sonny Santiago at 152 pounds in folkstyle.