Keegan Moore Discusses Third-Place Finish in First Big 12 Championship

Oklahoma State had three wrestlers vying for a third-place finish in the consolation round Sunday, and all three battled their way to the podium.

Six Cowboys will wrestle Sunday evening for a chance to be crowned Big 12 champion, but Jacobe Smith, Keegan Moore and Preston Weigel went a combined 6-0 in the first session of the day.

Coach John Smith said Moore’s match, a 13-5 major decision against second-seeded Martin Mueller, was probably his best of the year. Here’s what Moore had to say following the third-place finish.

On what his mindset was heading into Sunday’s matches

“I let a loss down that I know I could have won. Talking to Coach Smith, I’m definitely capable of being in the finals. I had some fire going under my belt and I was ready to attack and go compete today. This is my first Big 12s and I was super excited. I just gotta live in the moment and enjoy the opportunity.”

On what he learned from Saturday’s loss

“Not being worried to shoot or try stuff. Not being too conservative. Going and actually getting it and knowing what I can do when I’m actually putting it out there on the mat.”

On whether he was pleased with his performance this weekend

“I’m OK about it. I’m not pleased. If I won, if I woulda been in the finals, I maybe would be pleased. I’m not pleased, I’m OK with it. I did what I needed to do and I got the job done.”

On what his first Big 12 experience was like

“Man, it’s like a mini NCAAs I feel like. Watching NCAAs all throughout my career, traveling, watching my brothers, it felt like I got a little taste of that. It was almost like a state tournament for me.”

On what he learned that he can apply at nationals

“Be fearless. I can’t worry about winning or losing. I just gotta go out and wrestle and leave it up to God and put it all out there on the mat. I gotta give glory to God because without him, man, my emotions go everywhere.”