2022 NCAA Watch Party: Conference Weekend

Big 12 Championships Preview

Big 12 Championships Preview

Get the full breakdown of the Big 12 Championships.

Feb 28, 2022 by Kyle Klingman
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Overview

The Big 12 Championships are being held at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 5-6. Oklahoma State continues to dominate the Big 12 since its formation in 1997. The Cowboys have won 18 of 25 tournaments contested, including the past nine.

The 2021 Championships were memorable since Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were crowned co-champions after scoring 124 points each. Cowboy freshman AJ Ferrari had to win his championship match at 197 pounds for his team to take a share of the title. It was the first team championship for the Sooners since 2002. 

Missouri enters the Big 12 Championships for the first time since 2012. The Tigers moved to the MidAmerican Conference before returning this season. Fresno State was in the tournament last year but the school discontinued the program. 

The Big 12 received 58 automatic allocations to the NCAA Championships with 174 pounds receiving the most bids. 

125: 6
133: 6
141: 7
149: 4
157: 6
165: 4
174: 8
184: 4
197: 7
285: 6

Team Race

This year’s team race might be the most competitive and well-balanced in the history of the Big 12 Championships. Half the field has a legitimate chance of taking home the crown with Iowa State the slight favorite. The Cyclones have a well-balanced squad led by returning NCAA champion David Carr at 157 pounds. Yonger Bastida (197) closed out the year on a five-match win streak while Marcus Coleman (184) is a solid bet to reach the finals. Throw in returning conference champion Ian Parker (141) and returning All-American Jarrett Degen (149) and you have the makings of a title team. 

Iowa State coach Kevin Dresser should be pleased with how his team performed down the stretch. The Cyclones won 13 duals in a row — including an 8-0 conference record — after a 22-11 loss to Iowa on December 5, 2021. 

Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Northern Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota State have all shown glimpses of being a championship-caliber team throughout the season. The Cowboys started out on fire by winning their first 10 duals in a row by a combined 336-44 count. They cooled after the loss of returning NCAA champion AJ Ferrari due to a car accident — dropping four of their final seven duals. 

John Smith typically has Oklahoma State ready for the post-season and this year should be no different. Daton Fix is the favorite at 133 pounds but the rest of the team will have to pick up the slack if the Cowboys expect to win 10 team titles in a row. Kaden Gfeller (149) and Dustin Plott (174) are slight favorites to win their respective weight classes and they will need all of that and more to win. 

There was a time when the Big 12 conference only had five teams and it was known as the Big Four and the Little One — and Missouri was the one. That changed when Brian Smith took over in 1998. His team won the Big 12 conference crown in 2012 before moving to the MAC for the past nine years, winning every conference title along the way. 

The Tigers are dangerous with plenty of talent to bring the team title back to Columbia. Keegan O’Toole is the favorite at 165 pounds and he can — and will — score bonus points for his team. Rocky Elam’s performance will go a long way in determining Missouri’s final standing. The 197-pound field is deep with four wrestlers ranked in the top eight and five ranked in the top 16. A title by Elam gives Missouri a chance to bring home its 11th conference title in a row. 

Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, and Oklahoma aren’t front runners but they are contenders. The Panthers defeated Oklahoma State and Oklahoma on the road and took Iowa State down to the final match of their home dual before falling, 16-15. UNI is led by 184-pounder Parker Keckeisen — a returning conference champion who is a title contender at the national tournament.

South Dakota State defeated Northern Iowa and Missouri but lost to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma this season. The Jack Rabbits have Clay Carlson leading the way at 141 pounds but they are missing the top-end scorers that other teams have. Damion Hahn’s squad has a chance to win, but it will take most of his team placing above their seeds to get it done. 

Don’t count out Oklahoma, either. They were the surprise conference co-champions last season after a solid top-to-bottom performance. Jake Woodley can reach the 197-pound finals while Anthony Madrigal (133), Willie McDougald (149), and Justin Thomas (157) could make a deep run. 

Weight-By-Weight Breakdown

125 Pounds (6 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Good luck picking the winner of this weight. There are seven wrestlers with a legitimate chance of taking the title. Get this, the highest-ranked wrestler nationally is seventh in the Big 12 rankings. Returning All-American Killian Cardinale (West Virginia) has wins over Taylor Lamont (Utah Valley) and Brody Teske (Northern Iowa) but has a loss to Kysen Terukina (Iowa State). Lamont has a win over Noah Surtin (Missouri) but Surtin has a win over Terukina and was pinned by Teske. Terukina lost to Teske and Surtin but has the win over Cardinale. Joey Prata (Oklahoma) has wins over Terukina and Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Oklahoma State) but has a loss to Surtin. Mastrogiovanni beat Teske but split with Prata and lost to Terukina. 

This weight class is a tangled plate of spaghetti, which should make it the most competitive top-to-bottom bracket in the field. There’s no predicting what will happen here. 

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Killian CardinaleWest VirginiaSR14
2Brody TeskeUNISO16
3Taylor LaMontUtah ValleyJR15
4Noah SurtinMissouriFR17
5Joey PrataOklahoma SR20
6Kysen TerukinaIowa StateSO18
7Trevor MastrogiovanniOklahoma StateSO13
8Jace KoelzerNorthern ColoradoJRNR
9Jared Van VleetAir ForceSRNR
10Tanner JordanSouth Dakota StateFRNR
11Jake SvihelWyomingJRNR
12Lucas RodriguezNorth Dakota StateJRNR


2022 Pre-seeds
1. Killian Cardinale (West Virginia)
2. Taylor Lamont (Utah Valley)
3. Brody Teske (Northern Iowa)
4. Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Oklahoma State)
5. Noah Surtin (Missouri)
6. Kysen Terukina (Iowa State)
7. Joey Prata (Oklahoma)
8. Jace Koelzer (Northern Colorado)

2021 Results
1st - Brody Teske (Northern Iowa)
2nd - Taylor LaMont (Utah Valley)
3rd - Killian Cardinale (West Virginia)
4th - Danny Vega (South Dakota State)
5th - Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Oklahoma State)
6th - Kysen Terukina (Iowa State)
7th - Cody Phippen (Air Force)
8th - Jace Koelzer (Northern Colorado)

Killian Cardinale's win over Brody Teske on February 5

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133 Pounds (6 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Who’s coming in second? Oklahoma State’s Daton Fix is the overwhelming favorite to take home another title after posting a 17-0 season record. No one in the conference has come close to Fix — a 2021 World silver medalist who has reached the NCAA tournament finals twice. Utah Valley's Haiden Drury and UNI's Kyle Biscoglia only have one conference loss each, which was to Fix. Neither has faced each other during their college careers so the possibility of a Biscoglia-Drury semifinal should be one of the better matches of the tournament. Also, keep an eye on Gabriel Tagg (South Dakota State) and Kellyn March (North Dakota State). Tagg transferred from North Carolina and was a 2019 Junior World bronze medalist. Ramazan Attasauov (Iowa State) keeps matches close so he'll be a threat whenever he steps on the mat. The Cyclones will need him to place high to contend for the title. 

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Daton FixOklahoma StateJR2
2Kyle BiscogliaUNISO21
3Haiden Drury Utah ValleyFR14
4Gabriel TaggSouth Dakota StateSOHM
5Kellyn MarchNorth Dakota StateFRHM
6Ramazan AttasauovIowa StateSOHM
7Anthony MadrigalOklahoma SR17
8Trey CrawfordMissouri FR19
9Job GreenwoodWyomingJRNR
10Michael Dolan West Virginia FRNR
11Dyson KunzNorthern ColoradoFRNR
12Sidney FloresAir ForceSRNR


2022 Pre-seeds
1. Daton Fix (Oklahoma State)
2. Kyle Biscoglia (Northern Iowa)
3. Gabriel Tagg (South Dakota State)
4. Kellyn March (North Dakota State)
5. Ramazan Attasauov (Iowa State)
6. Haiden Drury (Utah Valley)
7. Tony Madrigal (Oklahoma)
8. Job Greenwood (Wyoming)

2021 Results
1st - Daton Fix (Oklahoma State)
2nd - Anthony Madrigal (Oklahoma)
3rd - Zach Redding (Iowa State)
4th - Mosha Schwartz (Northern Colorado)
5th - Zach Price (South Dakota State)
6th - Haiden Drury (Fresno State)
7th - Kellyn March (North Dakota State)
8th - Ty Smith (Utah Valley)

141 Pounds (7 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Allan Hart (Missouri) has two wins over Clay Carlson (South Dakota State) despite losses to Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado), Ty Smith (Utah Valley), and Cael Happel (Northern Iowa). Carlson, a returning All-American, placed fourth at Big 12s last year and has two wins over Alirez. Keep an eye on Iowa State's Ian Parker. He is #4 in the Big 12 rankings but hasn't lost a match at 141 pounds all season after starting the year at 149. He has wins over Carter Young (Oklahoma State) and Happel but hasn't faced anyone in the top three. This weight isn't as wide open as 125, but there's plenty to follow — especially if Iowa State and Oklahoma State are battling it out for the top spot. 

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Allan HartMissouriJR8
2Clay CarlsonSouth Dakota StateJR4
3Andrew AlirezNorthern ColoradoSO6
4Ian ParkerIowa StateSR17
5Carter YoungOklahoma StateFR19
6Cael HappelUNIFRHM
7Dylan DroegemuellerNorth Dakota StateJRHM
8Chase ZollmanWyomingSRHM
9Ty SmithUtah ValleyJRHM
10Cody PhippenAir ForceJRNR
11Jacob ButlerOklahoma JRNR
12Caleb ReaWest VirginiaJRNR


2022 Pre-seeds
1. Ian Parker (Iowa State)
2. Clay Carlson (South Dakota State)
3. Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado)
4. Allan Hart (Missouri)
5. Carter Young (Oklahoma State)
6. Cael Happel (Northern Iowa)
7. Darren Green (Wyoming)
8. Dylan Droegemueller (North Dakota State)

2021 Results
1st - Dom Demas (Oklahoma)
2nd - Ian Parker (Iowa State)
3rd - DJ Lloren (Fresno State)
4th - Clay Carlson (South Dakota State)
5th - Chase Zollman (Wyoming)
6th - Dylan Droegemueller (North Dakota State)
7th - Chris Sandoval (Northern Colorado)
8th - Kaden Gfeller of (Oklahoma State)

149 Pounds (4 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Kaden Gfeller (OSU) is the clear favorite after posting wins over Willie McDougald (OU), Jarrett Degen (ISU), Josh Edmond (UM), and Colin Realbuto (UNI). His undefeated conference record means he's the man to beat. McDougald has wins over Degen, Edmond, and Realbuto; returning All-American Degen beat Edmond and Realbuto and Edmond defeated Realbuto. Real estate at the top is tight with only four conference allocations.

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Kaden GfellerOklahoma StateJR18
2Willie McDougaldOklahoma  FR20
3Jarrett DegenIowa StateSR21
4Josh EdmondMissouriFR22
5Colin RealbutoUNISO HM
6Jaron JensonWyomingSRNR
7Chris SandovalNorthern ColoradoSRNR
8Gaven SaxNorth Dakota StateFRNR
9Daniel KimballSouth Dakota StateSO NR
10Jeffrey BoydWest VirginiaSO NR
11Dylan MartinezAir ForceJRNR
12Alex EmmerUtah ValleyFRNR


2022 Pre-seeds
1. Kaden Gfeller (Oklahoma State)
2. Willie McDougald (Oklahoma)
3. Jarrett Degen (Iowa State)
4. Josh Edmond (Missouri)
5. Colin Realbuto (Northern Iowa)
6. Jaron Jenson (Wyoming)
7. Chris Sandoval (Northern Colorado)
8. Gaven Sax (North Dakota State)

2021 Results
1st - Boo Lewallen (Oklahoma State)
2nd - Mitch Moore (Oklahoma)
3rd - Kyle Parco (Fresno State)
4th - Jarett Degen (Iowa State)
5th - Triston Lara (Northern Iowa)
6th - Jaron Jensen (Wyoming)
7th - Cameron Hunsaker (Utah Valley)
8th - Jaden Van Maanen (North Dakota State)

157 Pounds (6 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Not only is Iowa State's David Carr the storyline of this weight class — he's the storyline of the tournament. Carr has a chance to become a five-time conference champion (thanks to the COVID relief year) and a four-time NCAA champion. That would outdo his father, Nate, who was a two-time conference champion (1980-81) and three-time NCAA champion (1981-83) for Iowa State. David enters the tournament 17-0 with 12 bonus point wins. NDSU's Jared Franek is a solid choice to reach the finals. His only conference loss was to Carr, and he has a season record of 17-2. Oklahoma State's Wyatt Sheets is a returning All-American with wins over Justin Thomas (Oklahoma), Jacob Wright (Wyoming), and Jarrett Jacques (Missouri).

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1David CarrIowa StateJR1
2Jared FranekNorth Dakota StateJR6
3Wyatt SheetsOklahoma StateSR20
4Justin ThomasOklahoma SR14
5Jarrett JacquesMissouriJR17
6Jacob Wright WyomingSR18
7Derek HolschlagUNISRHM
8Jaxon GaroutteUtah ValleyFRNR
9Alex HornfeckWest VirginiaJRNR
10Giano PetrucelliAir ForceSONR
11Nathan MooreNorthern ColoradoSONR
12Kenny O'NeilSouth Dakota StateJRNR


2022 Pre-seeds
1. David Carr (Iowa State)
2. Jared Franek (North Dakota State)
3. Wyatt Sheets (Oklahoma State)
4. Jarrett Jacques (Missouri)
5. Jacob Wright (Wyoming)
6. Justin Thomas (Oklahoma)
7. Derek Holschlag (Northern Iowa)
8. Jaxon Garoutte (Utah Valley)

2021 Results
1st - David Carr (Iowa State)
2nd - Jared Franek (North Dakota State)
3rd - Justin Thomas (Oklahoma)
4th - Cade DeVos (South Dakota State)
5th - Jacob Wright (Wyoming)
6th - Alex Hornfeck (West Virginia)
7th - Danny Snediker (Utah Valley)
8th - Cayd Lara (Northern Iowa)

David Carr's fall over Kendall Coleman of Purdue at Humboldt High School

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165 Pounds (4 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Missouri's Keegan O'Toole has been a scoring machine this season, compiling a 17-0 record with 14 bonus point wins. This weight is his for the taking after dominating everyone in the conference. His closest match was a 3-2 win over returning All-American Travis Wittlake of Oklahoma State. There is a possibility that they meet in the semifinals, which will make the team race that much more exciting. Hall seems appears to be in a good spot to reach the finals, but he'll have a tough road to get there. He beat Northern Iowa's Austin Yant and split with returning conference champion Luke Weber of North Dakota State. A fifth-place finish means you'll have to bank on an at-large bid to punch a ticket to Detroit. There are plenty of wrestlers in the field that can make noise here. 

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Keegan O'TooleMissouriFR3
2Peyton HallWest VirginiaSO14
3Austin YantUNIJR15
4Travis WittlakeOklahoma StateJR16
5Luke WeberNorth Dakota StateSR17
6Joe GrelloOklahoma SRHM
7Tanner CookSouth Dakota StateJRHM
8Isaac JudgeIowa StateJRHM
9Cole MoodyWyomingJRNR
10Jack GanosAir ForceFRNR
11Daniel SnedikerUtah ValleySONR
12Nick KnutsonNorthern ColoradoSRNR


2022 Preseeds
1. Keegan O'Toole (Missouri)
2. Peyton Hall (West Virginia)
3. Austin Yant (Northern Iowa)
4. Travis Wittlake (Oklahoma State)
5. Luke Weber (North Dakota State)
6. Tanner Cook (South Dakota State)
7. Isaac Judge (Iowa State)
8. Joe Grello (Oklahoma)

2021 Results
1st - Luke Weber (North Dakota State)
2nd - Cole Moody (Wyoming)
3rd - Travis Wittlake (Oklahoma State)
4th - Peyton Hall (West Virginia)
5th - Austin Yant (Northern Iowa)
6th - Troy Mantanona (Oklahoma)
7th - Jordan Robison (Northern Colorado)
8th - Koy Wilkinson (Utah Valley)

174 Pounds (8 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Eight NCAA allocations mean there's a bit of wiggle room here since the top eight in the conference are ranked nationally from 10 through 22. Oklahoma State's Dustin Plott was pinned by Lance Runyon of Northern Iowa but has wins over Cade DeVos (South Dakota State), Hayden Hastings (Wyoming), and two wins over Anthony Mantanona (Oklahoma). Plott is far from a lock to take the title. DeVos defeated Hastings and Peyton Mocco (Missouri) to earn a #2 ranking but the rest of the field isn't far behind. This is another weight class that will form the team race heading into the finals. 

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Dustin PlottOklahoma StateSO10
2Cade DeVosSouth Dakota StateSO12
3Peyton MoccoMissouriSO13
4Hayden HastingsWyomingSR14
5Anthony MantanonaOklahoma  SR19
6Lance RunyonUNIFR20
7Joel DevineIowa StateJR21
8Austin BrennerNorth Dakota StateJR22
9Sam WolfAir ForceSONR
10Scott JollWest VirginiaSONR
11Kekana FouretUtah ValleySONR
12Damen PapeNorthern ColoradoFRNR


2022 Preseeds
1. Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State)
2. Cade DeVos (South Dakota State)
3. Anthony Mantanona (Oklahoma)
4. Lance Runyon (Northern Iowa)
5. Hayden Hastings (Wyoming)
6. Peyton Mocco (Missouri)
7. Joel Devine (Iowa State)
8. Austin Brenner (North Dakota State)

2021 Results
1st - Demetrius Romero (Utah Valley)
2nd - Jackson Hemauer (Northern Colorado)
3rd - Hayden Hastings (Wyoming)
4th - Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State)
5th - Anthony Mantanona (Oklahoma)
6th - Cody Surratt (Air Force)
7th - Austin Brenner (North Dakota State)
8th - Cade King (South Dakota State)

184 Pounds (4 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Northern Iowa's Parker Keckeisen is the returning conference champ at this weight class. On top of that, he finished third at the 2021 NCAA Championships and his only college losses are to Penn State's returning NCAA champion Aaron Brooks. Keckeisen has two wins over Marcus Coleman (Iowa State) and a major decision win over Dakota Geer (Oklahoma State). Coleman won over Samuelson and Geer but has lost to Keckeisen and Kent. Look out for Keegan Moore. Moore began his career at Oklahoma State, transferred to Northern Iowa, and is currently at Oklahoma. Moore pinned Keckeisen during their wrestle-off last season and pushed his former teammate to the wire during the dual before losing, 7-5. 

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Parker KeckeisenUNIFR4
2Marcus ColemanIowa StateSR7
3Tate SamuelsonWyoming JR14
4Dakota Geer Oklahoma StateSR15
5Jeremiah KentMissouriSO23
6Cade KingSouth Dakota StateSOHM
7Keegan MooreOklahoma  SRHM
8Deanthony ParkerNorth Dakota StateFRNR
9Jacob ArmstrongUtah ValleySO NR
10Anthony CarmanWest VirginiaSONR
11Jake ThompsonAir ForceSRNR
12Xavier VasquezNorthern ColoradoJRNR


2022 Preseeds
1. Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa)
2. Marcus Coleman (Iowa State)
3. Tate Samuelson (Wyoming)
4. Dakota Geer (Oklahoma State)
5. Cade King (South Dakota State)
6. Jeremiah Kent (Missouri)
7. Keegan Moore (Oklahoma)
8. DJ Parker (North Dakota State)

2021 Results
1st - Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa)
2nd - Tate Samuelson (Wyoming)
3rd - Dakota Geer (Oklahoma State)
4th - Alan Clothier (Northern Colorado)
5th - Sam Colbray (Iowa State)
6th - Darrien Roberts (Oklahoma)
7th - Jacob Schoon (South Dakota State)
8th - Anthony Carman (West Virginia)

Parker Keckeisen's win over Marcus Coleman on February 11.

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197 Pounds (7 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: The absence of AJ Ferrari leaves this weight class open to the possibility of a new conference champion. But who will it be? Returning All-American Stephen Buchanan (Wyoming) is the odd-on favorite following wins over Rocky Elam (Missouri) and Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) despite getting pinned by Owen Pence of North Dakota State. Bastida closed out the dual season with a win over Elam while Woodley, a returning All-American, has losses to Sloan and Elam but a win over Bastida. Sloan is on a 13-match win streak and has split with Elam on the season. This should be a fun weight to watch play out.

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Stephen BuchananWyomingJR2
2Tanner SloanSouth Dakota StateJR16
3Jake WoodleyOklahoma  SR6
4Yonger BastidaIowa StateFR7
5Rocky ElamMissouriFR8
6Owen PentzNorth Dakota StateSOHM
7Evan BockmanUtah ValleySOHM
8Alan ClothierNorthern ColoradoSRHM
9Gavin StikaOklahoma StateSONR
10John GundersonUNIFRNR
11Kayne HutchisonAir ForceSRNR
12Jackson MoomauWest VirginiaJRNR


2022 Preseeds
1. Stephen Buchanan (Wyoming)
2. Tanner Sloan (South Dakota State)
3. Jake Woodley (Oklahoma)
4. Yonger Bastida (Iowa State)
5. Rocky Elam (Missouri)
6. Owen Pentz (North Dakota State)
7. Alan Clothier (Northern Colorado)
8. Evan Bockman (Utah Valley)

2021 Results
1st - AJ Ferrari (Oklahoma State)
2nd - Stephen Buchanan (Wyoming)
3rd - Noah Adams (West Virginia)
4th - Marcus Coleman (Iowa State)
5th - Jake Woodley (Oklahoma)
6th - Tanner Sloan (South Dakota State)
7th - Owen Pentz (North Dakota State)
8th - Jacob Seely (Northern Colorado)

Owen Pentz pinned Stephen Buchanan on January 16. 

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285 Pounds (6 NCAA allocations)

Breakdown: Air Force has been flying high on big man Wyatt Hendrickson all season. The Falcon heavyweight is 20-0 on the season with a combined 16 fall/tech falls. He's not a lock, though. His biggest win was a pin over Iowa State's Sam Schuyler but he hasn't faced the top competition in the conference or the country with no wins over a top 10 opponent. Missouri's Zach Elam is 11-4 on the season but has been tested early and often against some of the best heavyweights. His lone conference loss was a 1-0 decision to AJ Nevills (South Dakota State). Nevills split matches with Brandon Metz (North Dakota State) and lost to Oklahoma State's Luke Surber.

Flo Big 12 Rankings

RANKNAMESCHOOLYEARNATIONAL RANK
1Wyatt HendricksonAir ForceSO14
2Zach ElamMissouriSO15
3Sam SchuylerIowa StateSR20
4AJ NevillsSouth Dakota StateSR21
5Michael WolfgramWest VirginiaSO 22
6Brandon MetzNorth Dakota StateSR23
7Luke SurberOklahoma StateFRHM
8Brian AndrewsWyomingSR12
9Josh HeindselmanOklahomaSOHM
10Carter IsleyUNISRHM
11Robert WintersNorthern ColoradoSRNR
12Jayden WoodruffUtah ValleyJRNR


2022 Preseeds
1. Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force)
2. Zach Elam (Missouri)
3. Sam Schuyler (Iowa State)
4. A.J. Nevills (South Dakota State)
5. Michael Wolfgram (West Virginia)
6. Brandon Metz (North Dakota State)
7. Luke Surber (Oklahoma State)
8. Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma)

2021 Results
1st - Gannon Gremmel (Iowa State)
2nd - Brian Andrews (Wyoming)
3rd - Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force)
4th - Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma)
5th - Brandon Metz (North Dakota State)
6th - Carter Isley (Northern Iowa)
7th - Michael Wolfgram (West Virginia)
8th - Dalton Robertson (Northern Colorado)

Teams

Air Force
Head coach: Sam Barber (Upper Iowa)
Dual record: 4-9 (1-8 conference)
Top Performer: Wyatt Hendrickson (285 pounds)

Barber on the Big 12s: "We have just concluded the most challenging schedule in the history of our program. Our guys have improved and grown in many different areas each week. I am confident our best effort, attitude, and execution for the 2022 season will happen in Tulsa and Detroit. I’m looking forward to our guys putting their hard work on display at the Big 12 Championships."

Iowa State
Head coach: Kevin Dresser (Iowa)
Dual record: 15-1 (8-0 conference)
Top Performer: David Carr (157 pounds)

Dresser on the Big 12s: “We are so excited about having the opportunity to compete in this conference. The growth and strength of this conference over the past five years have been staggering. Winning a Big 12 Championship is a huge deal individually and, of course, as a team.”

Missouri
Head coach: Brain Smith (Michigan State)
Dual record: 11-4 (8-2 conference)
Top Performer: Keegan O’Toole (165)

Smith on the Big 12s: “We are excited about the competition and look forward to the challenge ahead of us. It’s been a long time since we competed in the Big 12 tournament but the regular season has prepared us to step on the mats in Tulsa and wrestle with great confidence.” 

North Dakota State
Head coach: Roger Kish (Minnesota)
Dual record: 10-4 (4-4 conference)
Top Performer: Jared Franek (157 pounds)

Kish on the Big 12s: “We are excited the postseason has arrived. Our guys have high expectations and are looking forward to competing at the Big 12 Championships and earning their way to the NCAA tournament. Lots of excitement and energy in the room. Adds to the fun for the guys on the team and the staff.”

Northern Colorado
Head coach: Troy Nickerson (Cornell)
Dual record: 6-6 (2-5 conference)
Top Performer: Andrew Alirez (141 pounds)

Nickerson on the Big 12s: “I feel great. The Big 12s will be the first time all season we will have our starting line-up completely together. A lot of guys are going to have to earn their spots at the NCAA Championships this year and I feel like we have been competing really hard this season. We are up to the challenge. 

Northern Iowa
Head coach: Doug Schwab (Iowa)
Dual record: 7-7 (6-3 conference)
Top Performer: Parker Keckeisen (184 pounds)

Schwab on the Big 12s: The Big 12 is one of the premier conferences in college wrestling and we’re trying to make it the premier conference. Having Missouri back in certainly adds to it. For us, it’s about how we can get the most and the best out of our guys at this point in the season over two days. 

Oklahoma
Head coach: Lou Rosselli (Edinboro)
Dual record: 8-6 (3-5 conference)
Top Performer: Jake Woodley (197 pounds)

Rosselli on the Big 12s: “We are excited to wrestle in the Big 12s. It’s the postseason and it should be fun to see how passionate fans are.”  

Oklahoma State
Head coach: John Smith (Oklahoma State)
Dual record: 13-4 (6-3 conference)
Top Performer: Daton Fix (133)

Smith on the Big 12s: "Once again, I think it's going to be a great championship. As we know, it got tougher by adding Missouri back to the conference. For us, it's definitely an uphill battle and we're going to have to wrestle better than we have wrestled all year if there is any chance for us to win the title."

South Dakota State
Head coach: Damion Hahn (Minnesota)
Dual record: 13-4 (5-2 conference)
Top Performer: Clay Carlson (141)

Hahn on the Big 12s: “We’re excited to compete at the Big 12 tournament. This group of guys is fun to watch and has been consistent in the effort they bring to the mat. Looking forward to seeing them punch their tickets to Detroit.” 

Utah Valley
Head coach: Greg Williams (Utah State)
Dual record: 5-6 (0-5 conference)
Top Performer: Haiden Drury (133 pounds)

Williams on the Big 12s: “The Big 12 conference has progressively gotten tougher over the last few years. Between our conference duals and the other tough competitions we schedule and compete against throughout the year, our guys have wrestled tough opponents and have gained confidence. They know they can compete well at the Big 12s and put themselves in a position to compete and do well at the NCAA tournament. Ultimately that’s the goal of the individuals on our team; to get to the top of the podium or on the podium at the NCAA championships.”

West Virginia
Head coach: Tim Flynn
Dual record: 6-8 (1-8 conference)
Top Performer: Killian Cardinale (125 pounds)

Flynn on the Big 12s: “Our guys have had this date circled for a year and they’re looking forward to achieving their goals of qualifying for the national tournament. We’re pumped to get out to Tulsa and compete.”

Wyoming
Head coach: Mark Branch (Oklahoma State)
Dual record: 4-5 (4-4 conference)
Top Performer: Stephen Buchanan (197 pounds)

Branch on the Big 12s: “I think it’s going to be the deepest, most competitive Big 12 ever and it’s exciting to think about how much we’ve grown. This tournament will really prepare us for the NCAA Championships.”

2021 TEAM RESULTS

1 — Oklahoma State 124
1 — Oklahoma 124
3 — Iowa State 117.5
4 — Wyoming 105.5
5 — Northern Iowa 79
6 — North Dakota State 78
7 — Northern Colorado 70.5
8 — South Dakota State 67.5
9 — West Virginia 57
10 — Utah Valley 55
11 — Air Force 32.5
12 — Fresno State 31

TEAM CHAMPIONS

1997 — Oklahoma State
1998 — Oklahoma State
1999 — Oklahoma
2000 — Oklahoma State
2001 — Oklahoma State
2002 — Oklahoma
2003 — Oklahoma State
2004 — Oklahoma State
2005 — Oklahoma State
2006 — Oklahoma State
2007 — Iowa State
2008 — Iowa State
2009 — Iowa State and Nebraska
2010 — Iowa State
2011 — Oklahoma State
2012 — Missouri
2013 — Oklahoma State
2014 — Oklahoma State
2015 — Oklahoma State
2016 — Oklahoma State
2017 — Oklahoma State
2018 — Oklahoma State
2019 — Oklahoma State
2020 — Oklahoma State
2021 — Oklahoma and Oklahoma State