Oklahoma State wrestling: 3 things to watch for No. 9 Cowboys vs. West Virginia

The No. 9-ranked Oklahoma State wrestling team will host two duals this weekend at Gallagher-Iba Arena, starting with a Big 12 conference clash against West Virginia on Friday night.

The Cowboys (5-1, 2-0 Big 12) are riding high after a 36-3 home dual win against Northern Colorado on Jan. 12. Six OSU wrestlers earned bonus-point victories, including technical falls by No. 4 Nick Piccininni (125), No. 9 Travis Wittlake (165) and No. 11 Dakota Geer (197).

The Mountaineers (3-6, 0-1), however, are coming off a 36-3 loss to No. 4 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Noah Adams, the No. 2-ranked wrestler at 197, earned a 4-2 decision against Virginia Tech’s Stanley Smeltzer to remain defeated this season and claim WVU’s only victory in the dual.

3 things to watch

Kaden Gfeller and Joe Smith debuts?

Gfeller, who made his season debut at the Southern Scuffle to start the new year, was held out of action against Northern Colorado because he told coach John Smith he wasn’t feeling well. Hone dominated with a 8-0 major decision and continues to impress in Gfeller’s absence. Like Gfeller, OSU still hasn’t seen Smith make his dual debut.

197: Geer vs. Adams

This will be the premier match of the dual as Geer faces a national championship contender in Adams. The two didn’t meet at the Southern Scuffle, which Adams won and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. Geer was the No. 1 seed at the tournament but was upset in the quarterfinals by Rider’s Ethan Laird and took fifth.

Fast start

John Smith has made a point to focus on his team’s lack of a strong start in matches. The Cowboys improved in that area against Northern Colorado, but Smith still wants more from his wrestlers because he knows the potential is there from them. As expected, the Cowboys are favored in most of the matches so this will be a great dual to showcase a dominating performance.

Series history

OSU is 14-0 in the all-time series against WVU, and hasn’t allowed double digits in a dual since a 31-10 win on Jan. 16, 1999. The Cowboys won last season’s dual 40-3 in Morgantown during WVU’s first season under head coach Tim Flynn.

Lineups

125: No. 4 Nick Piccininni (14-1) vs. Joey Thomas (13-9)

133: Reece Witcraft (10-4) vs. Lucas Seibert (7-12)

141: No. 10 Kaden Gfeller (5-1) - OR - Dusty Hone (12-4) vs. Caleb Rea (11-9)

149: No. 3 Boo Lewallen (10-0) vs. Seth Hogue (13-9)

157: Wyatt Sheets (10-4) - OR - Jalin Harper (6-3) vs. Alex Hornfeck (12-10)

165: No. 9 Travis Wittlake (16-1) vs. Nick Kiussis (9-6)

174: No. 11 Joe Smith (2-1) - OR - Andrew Shomers (9-7) vs. Scott Joll (9-11)

184: Anthony Montalvo (11-4) vs. Jackson Moomau (8-11)

197: No. 11 Dakota Geer (13-3) vs. No. 2 Noah Adams (22-0)

285: Austin Harris (4-5) - OR - Cornelius Putnam (0-0) vs. Brandon Ngati (12-9)

How to watch

What: WVU (3-6, 0-1) at No. 9 OSU (5-1, 2-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena; Stillwater, Oklahoma

Live stream: ESPN+

Live stats: TrackWrestling.com

Radio: Hot 93.7 KSPI-FM