AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State wrestling team (1-2, 0-0 Big 12) will wrestle in its first Big 12 dual of the season on Saturday when they take on No. 14 Oklahoma (4-3, 0-1 Big 12). The Cyclones will look to open the conference slate on a positive note against a tough Oklahoma squad that is fresh off a third-place finish at the 50th Midlands Championships.
“They are a really quality team with some outstanding wrestlers,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson said. “It’s a home event for them so I know they are excited about it and so are we. We match up pretty well with each other so it’s a good way to start off Big 12 competition.”
Iowa State is coming off a 17th place finish at the Midlands Championships in which No. 11 Kyven Gadson took home fourth place at 197 pounds. Gadson knocked off two ranked opponents, including the No. 5 ranked wrestler in the country in Mario Gonzalez of Illinois. Jackson said that Gadson was among a number of wrestlers who showed they are ready to take the next step.
“I thought we had a group of guys at Midlands that competed with intensity and energy and wrestled the way we wrestle,” Jackson said. “We want to see that continue and improve on that showing at Midlands. I think from the UNI Open to the North Dakota State dual to Midlands, we’re seeing the improvement out of guys that we need to have success, so I expect that to continue”
Cyclone Notebook
• Iowa State will open Big 12 competition with No. 14 Oklahoma. The Cyclones fell to Oklahoma twice last season, including a 19-16 nail-biter in Norman, Okla.
• This will be the Cyclones’ first dual competition since a 22-18 victory over North Dakota State on Dec. 16. The Cyclones got a pin from heavyweight Matt Gibson in the final match against NDSU to seal the victory.
• Iowa State finished 17th at the Midlands Championships on Dec. 29-30, with 32.5 points. Kyven Gadson placed fourth, going 5-2 in the tournament.
• At 165 pounds, Mike Moreno will get a chance at a rematch with No. 4 Bubby Graham after a 5-3 loss to Graham in sudden victory during the third round of the championship bracket at the Midlands.
• Iowa State is 1016-288-21 all-time in duals, dating back to 1916.
Iowa State vs. Oklahoma Series Notes
• Iowa State leads the all-time series against Oklahoma, 48-36-4.
• Oklahoma has won three meetings in a row with the Cyclones, dating back to 2011.
Scouting Oklahoma
• The Sooners are 4-3 in dual competition thus far in the 2012-13 season. OU owns dual victories over No. 9 Central Michigan (24-14) and Binghamton (31-9).
• Oklahoma lost to fellow Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State by a score of 26-9 at home on Dec. 9.
• OU is coming off a third-place finish at the 50th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships in which they took home two individual titles. No. 1 Kendric Maple (141) and No. 4 Bubby Graham (165) both won their respective weight classes in Evanston.
