from the O'Colly:
The lone Bedlam outcome of this season displayed who is the true alpha program when it comes to wrestling in Oklahoma.
Gallagher-Iba Arena played host, as the Oklahoma State wrestling team faced Oklahoma in what was, contrary to tradition, the only meeting between the in-state rivals this season, which OSU won 31-6.
The Sooners refused to schedule two dual meets with OSU this season, breaking a tradition dating to the 1947-48 season.
Despite the break in series tradition, the Cowboys kept their own tradition alive: their dominance against the Sooners.
The Cowboys have won 140 of the 177 Bedlam wrestling matchups, including 14 of the last 15.
But the attraction of Bedlam brought the most impressive non-basketball crowd Gallagher-Iba Arena has seen all season, and the Cowboys put on a show for that crowd.
The Cowboys’ dominance began at 125 pounds, as No. 7 Nick Piccininni defeated No. 16 Christian Moody.
The Cowboys then received a chain of major decisions at 133, 141 and 149 pounds from Kaid Brock, Dean Heil and Boo Lewallen, respectively, to take an early 15-0 lead.
Jonce Blaylock, OSU's 157-pounder, took OSU’s first loss of the afternoon to Justin Thomas, and Chandler Rogers followed with an uneventful victory. OU’s Yoanse Mejias then defeated Hestin Lamons at 174 pounds.
OSU coach John Smith said he wanted to see some "wow moments" when it came to Bedlam, and Keegan Moore delivered.
Moore, a 184-pounder, pinned Matt Waddell in 40 seconds.
“It was really exciting to get the fall,” Moore said. “It means something to me.”
It was Moore’s first Bedlam experience, and he said though he's not a native Oklahoman, he realizes how big the rivalry is.
“I definitely know about all the history about Bedlam,” Moore said. “I had an uncle that played at OU, and my dad grew up around here, so I definitely know all about Bedlam. It was just cool for my first experience. It was great.
“Today, it’s a great day to be a Cowboy.”
Moore’s pin was most impressive to Smith because of the fact he performed a move Smith had never seen from him before.
“I’m not gonna lie, I don’t even practice the cradle,” Moore said. “I just know it. I think the last time I did a cradle was in high school, but it was there, and I slipped into it pretty nice. It felt right, and I took it over. It was kinda a freak deal.”
Andrew Marsden, OSU's 197-pounder, then beat OU’s Andrew Dixon 9-6, and Derek White followed with a dominating performance against Connor Webb at heavyweight. White won by a 21-6 technical fall in the second period.
Although White has arguably been OSU’s best overall performer on the season, Smith said things are only going to get tougher for the heavyweight wrestler.
“It’s gonna get a lot tougher,” Smith said. “This heavyweight class is tough. I think for Derek, it’s a matter of focusing on the guys that are gonna push you and test your limits.
“It’s good to see him excited about wrestling right now. His college career has not been great for him the last three years. It’s just good to see him having fun, and having fun means you’re wrestling well.”
The Cowboys have one regular-season dual left, as they head west to take on Fresno State on Sunday. Then it’ll be the Big 12 Championships in Tulsa.
“It seems like we’re a little choppy in our matches,” Smith said. “One thing we just need to focus on is a little bit more of a rhythm.”
also:
Dean Heil said goodbye Sunday.
Heil, Oklahoma State’s 141-pounder, wrestled his last match in Gallagher-Iba Arena in the Cowboys’ 31-6 win against Bedlam rival Oklahoma. After sixth-ranked Heil earned a 15-6 major decision against the Sooners’ Mike Longo, he stayed on the mat after his hand was raised.
It hasn’t been unusual for Heil to linger on the mat after matches this season, but it has been for different reasons. He always expects more as a two-time national champion. He has sat on his knees, looking down at the orange mat after disappointing matches, before walking past coach John Smith to the tunnel.
But Sunday, Heil was standing. He took a victory lap around the same orange mat with his hands in the air, waving to the fans who gave him a standing ovation.
“Just saying goodbye, thank you for supporting me,” Heil said. “(The lap was) just a little bit of everything. I won’t ever get the chance to do that again unless they have the (Team USA) trials here. Who knows, but as of right now, it’s the last time I’ll ever wrestle in front of a crowd here in Gallagher.”
It has been an unusual senior season for Heil, who has a 20-4 record after notching an undefeated tally last year. His final home match was also out of character.
Heil is known for keeping matches close with his defensive style. But he stretched the score to a major decision Sunday. Heil scored a takedown in the last five seconds of the match to secure bonus points. He was aggressive from start to finish, recording a pair of takedowns and a four-point nearfall to lead 8-1 after the first period.
“I really wanted to get some type of bonus points in that match,” Heil said. “I’ve been feeling pretty good. I just gotta keep pushing from here on out.”
Although Heil’s match seemed different, Smith is still always the same. As Heil’s coach, Smith has constantly been tough on Heil during his career, especially this season.
“I got emotional he didn’t wrestle well,” Smith said. “It doesn’t bother me. I like to see the guys wrestle their last match in Gallagher, and wrestle it well. (It’s) great memories and no regrets. We’ve had some good fortune with our seniors as they exited Gallagher. I just expect that.”
Sunday’s win was Heil’s third straight, but that doesn’t compare to his 55-match winning streak, which started during his redshirt-sophomore season and included a 32-0 record during his junior campaign. That run ended when Wyoming’s then-No. 4 Bryce Meredith beat Heil 2-1 in the first tiebreaker at Cheyenne, Wyoming. Heil was 3-0 against Meredith before then, including wins in the NCAA Tournament and Big 12 Championships finals. Heil then lost his next match to then-No. 4 Kevin Jack of North Carolina State, 4-3.
Heil responded with three consecutive wins before Missouri’s then-No. 3 Jaydin Eierman pinned Heil for his first home loss since Feb. 19, 2016. Two days later, Heil lost again at Gallagher-Iba Arena to unranked Ian Parker of Iowa State, 3-1.
Heil beat eighth-ranked Josh Alber of Northern Iowa 4-1 the next weekend to start his current winning streak.
“I’m working on it,” Heil said. “(I’m) still working. I’m still making progress.”
Smith was the first one who asked about Heil after the win against OU. Media had to wait nearly an hour to speak to Heil, asking his coach and teammate about him during the wait.
“He’s Dean,” OSU 184-pounder Keegan Moore said. “He’s provided so much leadership for us. Dean, personally, (has) been there for me. This practice room is tough. Sometimes you get down on yourself, and Dean was there. He’s been there to lift you up and lift up spirits and talk to you, make you feel better about yourself. It’s been great having him.”
Heil was one of the last wrestlers to get back to OSU’s locker room after the dual. He was on the Gallagher-Iba Arena floor longer than usual, almost seeming like he was trying to extend the moment with his father, who traveled from Ohio for his son’s last two duals in Stillwater. Heil then took extra time in the wrestling room, coming out of the door after his teammates and coaches had already left.
“After the match on Friday, it was starting to sink in a little bit,” Heil said. “It really started sinking in going into the dual today. A lot of emotion. I’m done. That’s it.”
