On February 23, 2025, the third-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes squared off against the second-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena, delivering fans a highly anticipated dual meet. The dual concluded with Iowa securing a hard-fought victory over the Cowboys, winning 21-16, marking Oklahoma State's first loss of the season.
The atmosphere was electric as fans packed the arena, eagerly awaiting the clash between two collegiate wrestling powerhouses. Both teams were vying for supremacy not only within the dual itself but also as they prepared for the upcoming Big Ten and NCAA championships.
The dual began strong for Oklahoma State with No. 4 Troy Spratley decisively defeating Iowa's No. 16 Joey Cruz by major decision, 17-3. Spratley's performance showcased his prowess on the mat as he accumulated significant riding time and points, giving the Cowboys a 4-0 lead early on.
Iowa responded quickly, with the second bout seeing No. 2 Drake Ayala overpowering Oklahoma State's Rin Sakamoto, achieving his own major decision with an 11-1 score. This victory tied the dual at 4-4 and set the stage for the intense competition to follow.
Continuing the momentum, Oklahoma State's No. 5 Tagen Jamison secured another win, majoring Iowa’s Jace Rhodes 8-0, yet Iowa's No. 3 Kyle Parco responded with victory over No. 18 Carter Young, ensuring the scoreboard remained tight—Oklahoma State leading 8-7 after four bouts.
Next on the mat was Iowa's No. 3 Jacori Teemer, who faced Oklahoma State's Caleb Fish. Teemer was able to fend off Fish's attempts and delivered a strong performance, winning 10-6, which placed Iowa slightly ahead at 10-8 before the much-anticipated match at 184 pounds.
It was here at 184 pounds where excitement reached its peak. Iowa sent out true freshman Angelo Ferrari, who faced off against third-ranked Dustin Plott of Oklahoma State. The match was marked by quick exchanges, with Ferrari securing the first takedown to take the lead. Plott, unfazed, battled back and managed to force the match to sudden victory after scrapping fiercely throughout.
Staying true to his reputation, Ferrari continued to push forward, finally executing another precise takedown during the sudden victory round, clinching the match 6-3. This victory was pivotal, swinging the overall dual score to 17-11 favoring Iowa and energizing the home crowd.
With the dual now heavily tilted toward Iowa, Stephen Buchanan, ranked No. 1, stepped onto the mat against No. 6 Luke Surber. Buchanan's experience shone through as he delivered another significant win, defeating Surber by major decision, 10-1. This victory confirmed Iowa’s lead at 21-11, effectively sealing the dual.
Despite the setback, Oklahoma State showed resilience with No. 3 Wyatt Hendrickson finishing the night on a high note. He secured a technical fall over Iowa's No. 11 Ben Kueter with an impressive 18-3 score, bringing the final tally to 21-16.
The victory for Iowa showcased their depth and tenacity across all weight classes, with key performances throughout the lineup. Iowa coach Tom Brands expressed his pride following the dual, highlighting the importance of this win as they prepare for their championship chase.
For Oklahoma State, the loss served as a wake-up call as they head toward their own championship challenges. Coach David Taylor will look to use this experience as motivation to improve and come back stronger, making sure the Cowboys rebound before the postseason.
Both teams are now set to compete at their respective conference tournaments before reconvening at the NCAA Championships, where wrestling fans can anticipate yet another thrilling chapter from this storied rivalry.