John Smith Announces AJ Ferrari Is Done for the Season

It looks as if the Cowboys will be without their defending national champ for the remainder of the season.

Oklahoma State coach John Smith announced on his radio show that AJ Ferrari is done for the season as he continues to recover from his car wreck.

Ferrari was involved in the car accident on Jan. 24 while driving home from appearing at a wrestling camp in Cushing. He was flown to Oklahoma City and released from the hospital within a few days of the accident. Preliminary thoughts were he may be able to return to competition this year, but that is now no longer the case.

Ferrari, a sophomore, was the 197 pound NCAA champion last year and ranked No. 1 at the weight class this entire season prior to his accident. He was 10-0 this season, scoring bonus points in seven matches.

Gavin Stika has wrestled for the Cowboys at 197 in Ferrari’s absence. Stika is 1-4 since filling in for Ferrari, defeating Northern Iowa’s John Gunderson in his debut in the lineup. Stika is 28-11 in his career, having mostly competed in open tournaments.