On January 11, the No. 15 Oklahoma wrestling team will face off against No. 5 Oklahoma State in a thrilling installment of Bedlam wrestling. This highly anticipated dual will take place at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma, starting at 5 p.m. CT. You can catch all the action on ESPN+.
The Sooners, currently boasting a record of 7-1, are having a standout season. They recently showed their strength in a quad dual meet, winning all three matches against Tarleton State, SIUE, and Duke, with an impressive score of 104-28. This is their best start since the 2013-14 season, and their recent victory over No. 12 Rutgers was particularly notable. They turned around a 14-6 deficit to win 19-14, marking a significant achievement in the program’s history.
Oklahoma also performed well at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, finishing sixth, their best placement since 2015. Redshirt sophomore Carter Schubert’s victory at 174 pounds made him the first Sooners champion at this prestigious event since 2013. This success earned him the title of Big 12 Wrestler of the Week.
The Bedlam rivalry isn’t just about current rankings; it’s rich in history. These schools have been battling it out since 1920. In 2016, they were recognized as the top two wrestling programs in NCAA history. This Sunday’s event will mark the 190th meeting between them. Interestingly, Oklahoma has not won in this series often, with a historical record of 27 wins to 152 losses against Oklahoma State.
What’s particularly exciting about this year’s match is that many of the bouts will feature inexperienced combinations. While the teams faced each other last season, over half of the matches will showcase new pairings. This includes Oklahoma State’s No. 7 Troy Spratley, who will compete against Oklahoma’s No. 24 Conrad Hendriksen. This adds a fresh dynamic to the rivalry.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma has set itself up for a challenging season, facing top-ranked teams like the defending champions, Penn State, and several other ranked opponents. This tough schedule is designed to prepare the Sooners for success in national competitions.
This Bedlam meeting is expected to draw considerable excitement from fans. Many are discussing the match on social media, expressing their eager anticipation. With such a storied rivalry and new matchups, it promises to be an unforgettable showdown.
For more updates, you can follow Oklahoma Wrestling on social media at @OU_Wrestling on Twitter and Instagram, or like them on Facebook.
