OU Splits Duals on Day One in Pennsylvania

Saturday, November 12

Bethlehem, Pa.

University of Oklahoma

Buffalo

Photo by: Ty Russell

OU Splits Duals on Day One in Pennsylvania

November 12, 2022 | Wrestling

NORMAN — Competing in its first dual action of the season, the Oklahoma wrestling team split its duals Saturday, defeating Buffalo 28-9 and dropping a 24-17 contest to No. 14 Lehigh at the Journeymen WrangleMania in Bethlehem, Pa.

"We had some great matches and we had some matches where we have to have more grit," head coach Lou Rosselli said. "Winning at this level requires toughness. We have a lot of opportunities left to showcase ourselves."

Joey Prata got things started off on the right foot for the Crimson and Cream vs. Buffalo with a 3-2 decision over Tristan Daugherty at 125 pounds. Prata's win marked the first of seven consecutive victories for Oklahoma. Wyatt Henson dominated Cole Minnick in his first action as a Sooner, earning a 20-6 major decision to push the OU lead to 8-0. Mosha Schwartz pinned Jack Marlow in the second period at 141 pounds to make it 11-0 Sooners. Mitch Moore, Jacob Butler, Gerrit Nijenhuis and Darrien Roberts all tallied decision victories at 149, 157, 165 and 174 pounds, respectively, to clinch the team win for Oklahoma at 24-0 with three matches outstanding. Roberts' 5-1 win at 174 pounds was especially impressive, as the Sooner, competing in his hometown of Bethlehem, Pa., upset No. 23 Jay Nivision in the win. Greyden Penner was down 5-3 at 184 pounds, and Keegan Moore got pinned at 197, but OU heavyweight Josh Heindselman used a 13-2 major decision over senior Greg Hodculick to punctuate the Sooners' 28-9 win.

A tougher test awaited Rosselli's team in the afternoon dual vs. No. 14 Lehigh. The Sooners dropped the bout at 125 pounds in a tight 5-4 decision, trailing 6-0 in the team score after Wyatt Henson dropped a 5-0 decision at 133 pounds. Schwartz turned the Crimson and Cream tide at 141 pounds, pinning Malyke Hines in 3:36, but the Sooners were docked a team point to maintain Lehigh's lead at 6-5. Mitch Moore erased that deficit and put the Sooners in front at 149 pounds with a first-period fall of Manzona Bryant IV in 1:45. Jacob Butler dropped a 6-4 decision at 157 pounds as OU's lead moved to 11-9. A pair of overtime victories from Nijenhuis and Roberts at 165 and 174 pounds built an OU cushion, giving Rosselli's side a 17-9 lead. But Lehigh's strong lineup at the end proved to be too much for Oklahoma. Tate Samuelsen majored Greyden Penner, 8-0, Michael Beard earned a 16-1 tech fall over Seth Seago and John Heindselman was pinned to award No. 14 Lehigh a 24-17 win.

Oklahoma will compete tomorrow in a 15-team field at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic. The round-robin tournament will start at 8 a.m. CT on FloWrestling.