Session 3 Recap: Smith, Geer Land NCAA Bids as OSU locks up its Seventh Straight Big 12 Title

TULSA — OSU wrapped up its seventh straight conference title in the consolation semifinals. Here’s our recap.

Consolation Semifinals

At 157 the Big 12 conference only received one automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. With Wyatt Sheets’ loss yesterday he is not eligible to receive that bid. That hasn’t stopped him from going after and winning some really competitive matches this weekend. In an absolute thriller Sheets picked up a 3-2 decision to make the consolation finals. Tied 2-2, with only three seconds left, Sheets got an escape to go up 3-2 and put himself in the consolation finals.

Joe Smith was tied 2-2 going into the third period with Branson Ashworth. They elected to take neutral, and Joe was taken down and ridden out to lose 4-2.

Dakota Geer picked up a comfortable 11-3 major decision to move on to the consolation finals.

157-Wyatt Sheets DEC Jacob Wright Fresno State 3-2
165-Branson Ashworth Wyoming DEC Joe Smith 4-2
184-Dakota Geer DEC Jackson Hemauer Fresno State 11-3

5th place

In what was a must-win for Joe Smith to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, Joe picked up a 10-2 major decision to finish fifth and lock down his spot.

165-Joe Smith MAJ DEC Logan Schmacher Iowa State 10-2

Consolation finals

Sheets brings some grit to his matches. With the exception of the NDSU match, every one of them this weekend were tight. This one was no different. Down late he needed a takedown and went for it. He ended up getting thrown, picked up a quick escape and went for his own throw. He nearly got it, but couldn’t get control to put Alex Mossing on his back. He lost 7-4.

For a young wrestler who’s had some injury issues, we’re certainly seeing some strides in his development. Sheets will require an at-large bid to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

157-Alex Mossing Air Force Academy DEC Wyatt Sheets 7-4

Geer had another dominant performance in his third-place match. He rolled through Will Sumner with a 16-3 major decision to finish third. Here’s what he had to say after his match.

184-Dakota Geer DEC Will Sumner Utah Valley 16-3

OSU has now mathematically clinched their seventh straight Big 12 conference title. It’s the first time OSU has ever won seven straight conference titles.

Team Scores

1. Oklahoma State – 143.5
2. Iowa State – 113.5
3. Northern Iowa – 80
4. Oklahoma– 74
5. Fresno State – 59.5
6. Wyoming – 58
7. Utah Valley – 57
8. North Dakota State– 53.5
9. West Virginia – 46
10. South Dakota State– 18.5
11. Air Force– 18
12. Northern Colorado – 17

John Smith recapped the round with Marshall Scott and gave some thoughts on Joe Smith’s performance. The best quote was about his son grabbing the last at-large slot: “Joseph Smith, what are you gonna do not qualify?”

Finals Matchups (7 p.m on FSN)

125-Nick Piccininni vs. Brent Fleetwood NDSU
133-Daton Fix vs. Montorie Bridges WYO
141-Kaid Brock vs. Dom Demas OU
149-Kaden Gfeller vs. Jarrett Degen ISU
174- Jacobe Smith vs. Taylor Lujan UNI
197-Preston Weigel vs. Willie Miklus ISU
285-Derek White vs. AJ Nevills Fresno State