Sooners Take Down No. 23 West Virginia to Earn Fourth Straight Victory

Friday, January 20

Norman

7 PM

University of Oklahoma

West Virginia

Photo by: Ty Russell

Sooners Take Down No. 23 West Virginia to Earn Fourth Straight Victory

January 20, 2023 | Wrestling

OU_vs._WVU_Results.docx

Powered by last-second victories from sophomores Jared Hill and Tate Picklo, Oklahoma knocked off No. 23 West Virginia, 18-15, at McCasland Field House on Friday night to post the team's fourth straight victory of 2023.

The Sooners (7-3, 1-1 Big 12) got into the win column in Big 12 play with the victory and secured the team's fifth consecutive win over the Mountaineers (7-2, 1-2 Big 12).

"My goal is for them to compete extremely hard and be passionate, and they met that goal tonight," head coach Lou Rosselli said. "A win is always great, and a win against West Virginia gives our team momentum going into the rest of the season."

The dual started at heavyweight, where Josh Heindselman was downed 3-1 by No. 20 Mike Wolfgram after surrendering a last-period takedown.

Joey Prata, ranked 19th entering the night, fell to No. 7 Killian Cardinale, giving up a late single-leg with 30 seconds left to give West Virginia a 6-0 lead.

At 133 pounds, No. 30 Wyatt Henson ignited the Sooners with a 9-2 decision over Davin Rhoads to put Oklahoma on the board and make it 6-3.

Snatching momentum early in the 141-pound bout with a takedown, No. 28 Mosha Schwartz knotted the contest up with a 3-1 decision victory over Jordan Titus to even the dual up at six apiece.

In the 149-pound match, No. 19 Mitch Moore won via injury default after No. 22 Sam Hillegas could not continue the bout as Oklahoma surged in front 12-6.

Locked in a 3-3 tie after three periods, Jared Hill seized his opportunity seconds into sudden-victory by clinching a single-leg takedown to win 5-3 and claim his McCasland Field House debut as the 157-pound starter.

Gerrit Nijenhuis and Darrien Roberts both dropped their bouts at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively to push the team tally to 15-12 in favor of the Sooners.

Tate Picklo, who weighed in at 174 pounds but was bumped up to 184 pounds before the dual, fought off multiple shots from Anthony Carman, and was locked into a 1-1 battle with a minute remaining the match. The Mustang, Okla., product avoided a shot from Carman and responded with a takedown, securing the match-winning points with three seconds on the clock to give OU an 18-12 lead.

"Being an Oklahoma boy and growing up watching all the matches, I was definitely nervous, but once I won, I felt a ton of confidence and surrealness," Picklo said. "Hearing the crowd after I got that takedown in the last couple of seconds was the most exciting win of my career."

Carson Berryhill got the nod at 197 pounds, but dropped his bout to Austin Cooley 8-1, but kept it close to secure the 18-15 Oklahoma win.

The Sooners return to the road next week for a dual at No. 4 Iowa State (10-2, 3-0). The contest starts at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Jan. 27.