Everyone’s new favorite team Oklahoma State has a very solid team coming into the 24-25 season, along with a brand new coach at the helm. The hype has climbed even higher with Coach Dave Taylor winning the Senior World Team Trials making that two in a row. The program has some big expectations this year relying heavily on Cam Amine, Dean Hamiti, Wyatt Hendrickson and Dustin plot to pick up for the other weights. Don’t count out Tagen Jamison or Troy Spratley, they were both close to a podium finish and could surpass all expectations.
125-Troy Spratley
Spratley had a great freshman year with over 12 ranked wins posting a 23-8 record overall. Finishing just short of a Big 12 title losing to Jore Volk ranked No. 12, he beat out Max Gallagher and Cooper Flynn going 2-2 in the NCAA Tournament. Highlighting a 12-3 in duals, his biggest wins were against NCAA Champion Richard Figueroa and No.7 Noah Surtin. Can he get another shot against Drake Ayala again? Progression from last years 2-2 finish is a must this year for him.
133-Cael Hughes
Coming off of a redshirt is Cael Hughes, going 12-1 achieving gold at the Lindenwood Open and Golden Norseman Open shows that there is promise. Also obtaining Gold at the US Open Championships, U20 61kg going 6-0 is enough for confidence as a starter, with one small issue. Not making weight for the World Team Trials puts a spotlight on him. If he doesn’t make weight in the regular season, could they move him up to contest the 141? He wrestled half of last season at this weight anyways, it will be interesting as time will tell. Cael Hughes is a real talent and someone to keep an eye on.
141- Tagen Jamison
Tagen had a good year, going 21-10 overall and 9-4 in dual action. Beating out 10 ranked wrestlers where 5 of those were in the top 10. Brock Hardy, Anthony Echemendia, and Carter Schmidt to be specific, he placed 4th at the Big 12 Championships and received a No.10 seed at the NCAA Tournament with a disappointing end. If he can maintain the momentum he had during the regular season into the tournament, there’s no reason to think he can’t make a run at the podium.
149- Carter Young
Carter is a very talented wrestler capable of beating anyone on any given day. He has quality wins over NCAA Champion Seth Gross, as well as wins over #3 ranked Jake Bergeland, 2 wins over Cael Happel, and a 3-0 victory over Casey Swiderski. As impressive as those wins may seem, he also carries a 35-26 college record, and has some very questionable loses. He has twice gone 0-2 at the NCAA Tournament.
157-Caleb Fish or Teague Travis
The Michigan State Transfer had a solid season last year at 165, going 27-11 and going 2-2 at the national tournament. Fish also still has a redshirt available. My thought is that Teague gets the starting spot this year at 157. Teague had a 23-8 record last year. Either of these two has potential to reach the podium in March.
165-Cameron Amine or Caleb Fish
Despite Fish having a win over Amine last season, I fully expect Cam to return to his winning ways this year. He is a top 5 guy at the weight class. He has quality wins over Alex Marinelli, Dean Hamiti, and NCAA Champion Shane Griffith. I expect Fish to redshirt.
174-Dean Hamiti
The 2X All-American and Big 10 Champion fell short of expectations in the NCAA’s last year placing 6th at 165. Moving up to 174 could be just the thing Hamiti needs. He has all the tools to beat anyone in the division. 174 is one of the toughest weights in the country this year, so it will be interesting to see how he does at this new weight.
184-Dustin Plott
They’re strongest weight this year with Dustin Plott, he is right where he needs to be. Finishing runner up in the tournament, notably losing to Parker Keckeisen 3 times, this year is another chance for redemption. Compiling a 31-4 record with 3 of his 19 victories against ranked opponents were in the top 5. Plott will once again end his season on the podium.
197-Luke Surber
The 3X NCAA qualifier will more than likely take the starting spot, struggling with injuries last year, Luke Surber, is capable of a deeper run in the tournament this year. He had a notable upset against Iowa State’s No.14 Evan Brockman in the Big 12 Championships. With or without injury he has put up some big bonus points throughout the years and will more than likely do the same this year. Getting All-American this year would be a nice cap on his career.
285- Wyatt Hendrickson
Next to Dustin Plott, Wyatt Hendrickson is the biggest asset to this program. Coming off of a 27-2 season and 18 pins, leading the nation in pins three years in a row with Air Force, he is a huge addition to the Cowboys. No doubt he will be a finalist this year against Greg Kerkvliet, whom he faced twice and lost too. He beat three top 10’s including Nick Feldman, Zach Elam, and Josh Heindselman, there is no other reason to think they’ll start anyone else.
This team is solid top to bottom with possibly 7 all-americans. Oklahoma State has a real chance of being a top 3 team this year.