Oklahoma State wrestling: Bear Hughes to transfer to Arkansas Little Rock

Bear Hughes is on the move.

The Coweta native is transferring to Arkansas Little Rock, he announced one day after his former teammate Chandler Rogers joined the Trojans’ coaching staff as an assistant coach. Another former Cowboy in Neil Erisman is Little Rock’s head coach.

Hughes, a redshirt junior-to-be, was 10-7 — all in tournaments — at 197 pounds this past season with 2019 NCAA All-American Dakota Geer as OSU’s starter at the weight. Hughes, beloved for his name and glorious mullet, moved up to 197 after going 12-7 and making his dual debut for the Cowboys at 184 pounds during the 2018-19 season. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Hughes is the second OSU wrestler to transfer to Little Rock after rising sophomore Triston Wills (174) announced his move in May. Little Rock has three wrestlers returning at 197, including starter and senior-to-be Dylan Johnson, who was 4-16 and placed fifth at the Pac-12 championship.

Hughes has found more success in the Greco-Roman wrestling style, winning the U.S. Open and World Team Trials in 2018 then taking fifth at the under-23 World Team Trials last year at 87 kilograms (191 pounds).