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Two Sooners Up for National Wrestler of the Year
July 21, 2021 | Wrestling
NORMAN – Alejandro Herrera-Rondon and Tate Picklo, both incoming freshmen on the Oklahoma wrestling team, were named finalists for both the USA Today and National Wrestling Hall of Fame's National Wrestlers of the Year for 2021, the organizations announced this week.
Both organizations name the top wrestler in each state, and those wrestlers then become finalists for the national award. Herrera-Rondon was honored as Pennsylvania's top prep wrestler, and Picklo was selected as the Oklahoma nominee. The NWHOF has awarded the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award annually since 1996 after the legendary Sooner passed in 1996, while the USA Today High School Sports Awards are in their first year.
The two incoming Sooners closed their high school careers as the top-ranked wrestlers in their respective weight classes, making Oklahoma one of two schools (Ohio State) to add two No. 1 recruits to its roster for 2021-22.
Herrera-Rondon ascended to the No. 1 spot at 152 pounds after defeating Oklahoma State signee Victor Voinovich in April. The Zelienople, Pa., product was a three-time state champion for Seneca Valley High School after compiling a 175-14 record. The five-star recruit added a pair of Powerade National Championships and placed twice at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman Tournament.
Picklo, the top-ranked wrestler at 195 pounds, closed his prep career as a four-time Oklahoma state finalist for Mustang High School, winning two titles. He was honored as the state's best 6A wrestler after his 2020 campaign, in addition to being named the 2021 Jim Thorpe Wrestler of the Year and a four-time Fargo All-American. A 2019 Cadet World-Team member, Picklo will join his brother Cam on the Sooners' roster this fall.
The USA Today National Wrestler of the Year will be announced on August 5, and the Dave Schultz High School Excellence winner will be named on August 10.
The Sooners will look to defend their Big 12 Championship when they open their season in October. Season tickets are now on sale as historic McCasland Field House is set to operate a full capacity. Along with the additions of Herrera-Rondon and Picklo, the Sooners return nine of their 10 starters in 2021-22, including Big 12 champion Dom Demas, conference runners-up Tony Madrigal and Mitch Moore, as well as All-American Jake Woodley.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma wrestling, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Wrestling) and like Oklahoma Wrestling on Facebook.
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