Buchanan Finishes Third at NCAA's

Thursday, March 21

Kansas City, Mo. | T-Mobile Center

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University of Oklahoma

NCAA Championships

Photo by: Austin Bernard

March 23, 2024 | Wrestling

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By: OU Athletics Communications

KANSAS CITY – Stephen Buchanan finished third at the 2024 NCAA wrestling national championship after winning both of his matches on Saturday morning against top-5 seeds. With his top-eight finish, Buchanan earned All-America status for the third time in his career.

Buchanan became Oklahoma's 278th All-American on Friday after defeating Rutgers' No. 14 John Poznanski, 2-1 in the blood round. The Sooners' 278 All-America honors are the fourth-most nationally. Additionally, Buchanan became OU's highest NCAA finisher since Cody Brewer, who also took third place in 2016.

On Saturday, Buchanan began the early session in the consolation semifinals, where he knocked off this season's Big 12 Champion Tanner Sloan of South Dakota State by decision, 6-2. In the third place bout, Buchanan cruised to a 9-4 win over Cornell's No. 5 Jason Cardenas to solidify a high spot on the podium.

The senior from Loyal, Wis., will walk in the Parade of All-Americans on Saturday evening before the championship finals. With his performance, he became Oklahoma's first All-American at 197 pounds since Jake Woodley in 2021 and just one of six all-time.

"It's been a journey this year battling through injuries," Buchanan said. "And then coming back this morning on a quick turnaround knowing you have two hard matches, it's gutsy but it builds you. Just being able to win those matches meant the world to me."

The Sooners' season ends with an All-American for the first time since 2021. As a team, the Sooners finish with 20 points and are alone in 23rd, entering tonight's finals, where OU won't have a wrestler. No matter the outcome of the championship round session, Oklahoma has secured their highest NCAA finish since ending the 2016 tournament in 13th place.

Oklahoma now turns its focus to the offseason, where Roger Kish's first full recruiting class since being hired as head coach boasts numerous all-area, all-state and All-America honors, as well as state championships.

OKLAHOMA WRESTLERS
Wt.	Wrestler	Status
133	No. 29 Jace Koelzer	Elim.
149	No. 21 Willie McDougald	Elim.
157	No. 28 Jared Hill	Elim.
197	No. 8 Stephen Buchanan	3rd - AA
174	No. 11 Josh Heindselman	Elim. BR
	TEAM SCORE
23rd	Oklahoma	20.0 pts