OSU Wrestling: Daton Fix Becomes First Five-Time Conference Champion in Big 12, Cowboy History

TULSA — Daton Fix has recently made Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Way,” his own. That was the song blaring throughout the BOK Center as Fix jogged down the red carpet to jump on the stage and compete for a Big 12 title for the fifth time Sunday night. Sinatra’s voice also echoed throughout Gallagher-Iba Arena exactly two weeks before during a video after Fix finished his career undefeated in the historical venue.

But to do things “My Way” is to do things no one else ever has. And when a part of a program with as much tradition as Cowboy Wrestling, that seems like an impossible task. But Sunday night, Fix beat Iowa State’s Evan Frost 8-5 in the 133-pound final to become the first five-time conference champion in Big 12 and Oklahoma State history.

“I’m just grateful,” Fix said. “Grateful to be here. Grateful to be a Cowboy. Any time you can do something that’s never been done here at Oklahoma State, you know it’s a big deal. I’m proud to be a Cowboy. I love it. I love it here. I love the fans. It’s a good time.”

Daton Fix becomes the first five-time conference champion in Big 12 and #okstate history. He’s also never lost a match to a conference opponent.

Not many people can be the first to do anything for Cowboy wrestling. pic.twitter.com/bv16nrj1ac

— Dekota Gregory (@dekotagregory) March 11, 2024

Fix was given the extra conference tournament and fifth title opportunity after all NCAA athletes received an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID pandemic. The NCAA Wrestling Championships were canceled in 2020 because of that pandemic. Between that pandemic and two redshirts — one as a freshman and one to prepare for the 2020 Olympics — Fix has been at OSU for seven years.

In a time the transfer portal has engulfed college sports, Fix’s loyalty and success as a three-time NCAA finalist during that lengthy span has made him a fan favorite. After he stood on the podium and was introduced as the 133-pound champion Sunday, there was a line of young wrestling fans waiting for Fix, yelling, “Daton” from the stands to get his attention. And as he’s done after winning every conference title or match during a dual at GIA, the kid from the next town over in Sand Springs obliged to every autograph and picture request.

“This is probably one of my, if not, it is the last time I’ll ever wrestle in Tulsa,” Fix said. “Being from Sand Springs right down the road, it’s a big deal anytime I ever get to wrestle in front of my hometown fans.”

Although he’s a five-time conference champion and has wrestled in the NCAA finals three times, Fix has never won a national title in his four trips to the tournament despite being a top-2 seed every appearance. He was upset in the semis last season and finished fourth when nationals was in Tulsa. It was the first time Fix didn’t make the finals of any postseason tournament he’s competed in during his college career.

Fix might actually receive the lowest seed he’s ever gotten this year. InterMat currently has Fix ranked No. 3 at 133 pounds behind Lehigh freshman Ryan Crookham and Cornell’s Vito Arujau, who upset Fix in the NCAA semis last season. Fix and Crookham are undefeated and haven’t met, but Fix has wrestled in less matches after being sidelined with an injury early in the season. Arujau, the defending national champion, has lost twice this season– both times to Crookham.

“It doesn’t matter who’s in front of me,” Fix said. “It doesn’t matter what seed I am. It doesn’t matter what seed anybody is. It’s just a number. It doesn’t matter. We’re gonna have to wrestle either way. Tournaments aren’t won on the number by your name. I learned that a long time ago. I’ve been the 1 seed, I’ve been the 2 seed — it doesn’t matter. Show me the bracket. Let’s scrap it out.”

This year’s NCAA Wrestling Championships will start March 21 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

“This is the last time, so it does mean a little more,” Fix said. “I haven’t finished on top in my four times going. Not very many people can get a fifth chance, so I gotta make the most of it.”

Daton Fix’s Post-Match Interview