OSU Wrestling: Swiderski, Ryder Win at NWCA All-Star Classic

Based on rankings, Casey Swiderski and Zack Ryder went into the All-Star Classic as underdogs, but both ended the night with their hand raised.

Swiderski and Ryder won their bouts at the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday night in New Jersey. The results won’t count on their official records for the season, but those results also show the wrestling world that Oklahoma State is again a player in Year 2 of the David Taylor era.

Swiderski opened the Division-I men’s portion of the evening with a 4-2 decision against Michigan’s Lachlan McNeil at 149 pounds. Swiderski entered at No. 4 in Flo’s rankings for the weight while McNeil was at No. 2.

Casey Swiderski wins his first match in an Oklahoma State singlet with a 4-2 win over Lachlan McNeil #AllStarClassic presented by @athleteps pic.twitter.com/EDDFcMKbtM

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) November 2, 2025

Swiderski transferred to OSU from Iowa State this offseason. He missed his last season in Ames with an injury, but before that, he was an All-American in 2024, placing seventh at the national tournament.

McNeil is a three-time All-American, doing all that work at North Carolina before transferring to the Wolverines this offseason. He placed fifth at NCAAs last season.

Ryder, a redshirt freshman transfer from Penn State, got the better of Maryland’s Jaxon Smith via a 14-4 major decision. It was the only bonus-point win of the night. Smith sits at No. 4 at 184 pounds while Ryder is at No. 7.

Zack Ryder is for real. He MAJORS Jaxon Smith 14-4#AllStarClassic presented by @AthletePS pic.twitter.com/ASWeBb6ftR

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) November 2, 2025

Ryder was a blue-chip high school prospect who actually forewent his senior year to move to Pennsylvania and train at the M2 Training Center alongside David Taylor. Ryder is a two-time U17 World bronze medalist and also has a U20 World silver medal. He went 8-0 while redshirting behind Carter Starocci.

Smith became Maryland’s first All-American since 2019 when he got on the podium last season, finishing sixth at the national tournament. He went 24-10 as a redshirt junior last season.

This was just the Cowboys whetting their appetite, as they’ll officially start their season Friday. Oklahoma State hosts a solid Stanford squad at 7 p.m. Friday in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The dual will be streamed on ESPN+.