Previewing the 2015-16 Oklahoma State Wrestling Season: Part I

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming off somewhat of a rebuilding year in 2014-2015 with hopes of earning national title number 35 this season. The team is loaded with talent, including returning All-Americans Eddie Klimara, Dean Heil, Alex Dieringer, Kyle Crutchmer, and Austin Marsden. This veteran-heavy crew, along with some new faces, look poised to be right in the thick of things once the NCAA Championships roll around in the spring.

125

This weight will be a strong suit for the Pokes with returning All-American Eddie Klimara. After overcoming some off-the-mat issues prior to last season, Klimara solidified his starting role with a very impressive campaign. Klimara can wrestle with, and beat, anyone in the country, so look for him to be on the podium at the NCAA Championships come March.

Eddie Klimara
Class: Senior
Hometown: Joliet, Illinois

Earned All-American status in 2014-2015 after finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships. Won his second Big 12 title with a decision over eventual NCAA runner-up Zeke Moisey of West Virginia. 24-7 overall record, while going 7-3 against ranked opponents. A very physical, skilled wrestler who is always looking to create on the offensive end.

133

This weight is totally up in the air after the Cowboys have wrestled two open tournaments. The tournaments were essentially being used as ranking matches, but it doesn’t seem any wrestler at this weight has separated themselves from the pack. Brian Crutchmer, Gary Wayne Harding, Kyle Garcia, and Kaid Brock have all beaten up on each other to begin the year. It will be very interesting to see how this weight plays out throughout the season.

Kaid Brock
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Stillwater, Oklahoma

An incredibly decorated wrestler in high school who seems to have a chance to make an immediate impact with the Pokes. 157-7 overall record while wrestling at Stillwater High School, including three state championships. Five-time Fargo All-American. Won gold at the 2013 Pan Am Games in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Brian Crutchmer
Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Compiled a 7-11 overall record in 2014-2015 while beginning the year as the starter for the Cowboys at 133 pounds. Finished sixth at the Joe Parisi Open, and also competed at the Reno Tournament of Champions. An experienced guy who could bring much needed stability to a questionable weight.

Kyle Garcia
Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Choctaw, Oklahoma

Another experienced wrestler at this weight who will likely see time as the starter at some point this year. Compiled a 5-4 overall record during the 2014-2015 season, while also placing second at the Oklahoma Open. Competed in the Joe Parisi Open and Reno Tournament of Champions. Transferred to Oklahoma State after spending his first two years at Oklahoma.

Gary Wayne Harding
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Collinsville, Oklahoma

Compiled a 29-13 overall record during the 2014-2015 season after having his redshirt pulled shortly after the beginning of the year. Qualified for the NCAA Championships where he went 2-2. Finished third at the Big 12 Championships. Won the OCU, Oklahoma, and Joe Parisi Opens during a stretch that saw him begin the season 14-0.

141

After the chaos that is 133, the Cowboys return to a stable weight at 141. Returning All-American Dean Heil will be the starter here, and will no doubt be seeking to add a national title to his already impressive resume.

Dean Heil
Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Brunswick, Ohio

Compiled a 27-10 overall record during the 2014-2015 season, and finished fourth at the NCAA Championships. Entered the tournament as the 14 seed and went 4-2 on his way to earning All-American status. Won his first Big 12 title. Also won the Joe Parisi Open and the Reno Tournament of Champions. Recently wrestled Cody Brewer of Oklahoma at the NWCA All-Star Classic where he lost an exciting match 13-12.

149

The combo of Dean Heil at 141 and Anthony Collica at 149 will be the first of a few tough stretches opponents must deal with when facing the Cowboys. After jumping up two weight classes to wrestle at 157 pounds last year, Collica is back down to a weight where he is better suited to compete for a national title. Look for him to earn All-American status for the first time, but a national title is certainly not out of the realm of possibility as well.

Anthony Collica
Class: Junior
Hometown: Solon, Ohio

Compiled a 26-11 overall record during the 2014-2015 season. Won his second Big 12 title after defeating Oklahoma’s Justin DeAngelis in the finals. Qualified for the NCAA Championships where he lost in the blood round, just short of earning All-American status. Won the Joe Parisi Open and Reno Tournament of Champions. As mentioned earlier, expect big things from him this year. A relentless wrestler who somehow always finds a way to get it done.

157

Like 133, this is another weight with nobody clearly separating themselves from the pack as of yet. Chance Marsteller seemed to be the guy heading into the year, but subpar performances at the first two tournaments of the season likely has Coach Smith weighing his options. Ryan Blees is another very decorated guy at this weight who redshirted last year. Joe Smith, Coach Smith’s son, is a guy who has really impressed in the preseason tournaments. The question is whether the staff would want to burn Smith’s redshirt when there are other viable options available. Only time will tell.

Ryan Blees
Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Bismarck, North Dakota

Redshirted for the Pokes during the 2014-2015 season. Compiled a 22-10 overall record while competing exclusively in open tournaments. Placed second at the Joe Parisi, Oklahoma, and Missouri Valley open tournaments. Finished fourth at the OCU Open. Also competed at the Reno Tournament of Champions. A five-time Fargo All-American while in high school.

Chance Marsteller
Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania

Redshirted during the 2014-2015 season where he compiled a 14-4 record competing exclusively in open tournaments. Won the UCO and Oklahoma open tournaments. Finished fourth at the Joe Parisi Open and the Southern Scuffle. Compiled a perfect 166-0 record in high school on his way to winning four state championships.

Joe Smith
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Stillwater, Oklahoma

Compiled an incredible 150-1 record while wrestling at Stillwater High School. Three-time state champion. 2015 Junior Freestyle National Champ. Five-time Fargo All-American. Recipient of 2015 Jim Thorpe Award. As mentioned earlier, has looked incredibly impressive in the preseason thus far. Coach Smith hasn’t been reluctant to pull a redshirt in recent years if he feels it betters the team, and this could certainly be one of those instances.

Part II on Friday.