No. 2 Oklahoma State Comes Back To Top Iowa

The Oklahoma State wrestling squad won its final five matches of the day to make an enthralling comeback and defeat the No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes, 18-12, on Sunday in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

"We did what we needed to do," coach John Smith said. "If I had any disappointment, it was with our leads. When we got a lead, we didn't get the critical rides and we let them up. Those types of things put a little damper on our overall performance. Tough classic matches overall, though. One takedown decided most of those matches. Sometimes, that's how it is. You have to stay focused and battle until you score your one takedown."

The Cowboys (8-0-0) got off to a rough start, losing the first three matches by decision. Senior Jordan Oliver put the first points on the board for OSU when he defeated Michael Kelly, 10-4.

Another loss for the Cowboys at 157 pounds gave the Hawkeyes (12-1-0) a 12-3 advantage in the team score, but Tyler Caldwell, ranked No. 3 in country at 165 pounds, began the Cowboys' return for victory when he picked up a crucial takedown late in the third period, defeating No. 18 Nick Moore, 3-2.

In the 174-pound bout, top-ranked Chris Perry found victory over No. 4 Mike Evans with a 1:19 riding time advantage to top the Hawkeye, 4-3.

At 184 pounds, Chris Chionuma provided one of the biggest highlights of the day with 3-2 upset win over No. 10 Ethen Lofthouse, tying the team score, 12-12.

"It felt really good," Chionuma said. "I needed a breakthrough win. I've been struggling with the top guys. So, coming out with this win is huge for me and the rest of my year."

Blake Rosholt followed suit with a 3-2 win over Nathan Burak, giving the Cowboys the lead for the first time. Sealing the victory for the Cowboys was third-ranked heavyweight Alan Gelogaev, whose three takedowns and an escape gave him a 7-3 win over No.7 Bobby Telford.

The Cowboy wrestlers return for a weekend of home duals, beginning Friday when they take on Big 12 opponent West Virginia. The action continues Sunday as OSU goes head to head with Pittsburgh.

Bout Results

125: No. 1 Matt McDonough (Iowa) dec. Eddie Klimara (OSU); 10-4

133: No. 2 Tony Ramos (Iowa) dec. No. 5 Jon Morrison (OSU); 3-2

141: No. 10 Mark Ballweg (Iowa) dec. Julian Feikert (OSU); 8-3

149: No. 1 Jordan Oliver (OSU) dec. Michael Kelly (Iowa); 10-4

157: No. 1 Derek St. John (Iowa) dec. No. 9 Alex Dieringer (OSU); 8-4

165: No. 3 Tyler Caldwell (OSU) dec. No. 18 Nick Moore (Iowa); 3-2

174: No. 1 Chris Perry (OSU) dec. No. 4 Mike Evans (Iowa); 4-3

184: No. 15 Chris Chionuma (OSU) dec. No. 10 Ethen Lofthouse (Iowa); 3-2

197: Blake Rosholt (OSU) dec. Nathan Burak (Iowa); 3-2

285: No. 3 Alan Gelogaev (OSU) dec. No. 7 Bobby Telford (Iowa); 7-3