Updated OSU Wrestling Roster Reveals a Few Program Losses

Oklahoma State updated its online roster for the 2020-2021 season and there were some changes.

Naturally the graduating seniors are gone and no longer listed, but there seems to be a few other program losses. Brevin Balmeceda, Rhett Golowenski, Bear Hughes, Alex Kauffman, Triston Wills, Dallas Wilson, and Conner Wilson are all no longer listed on the roster.

Hughes and Wills were expected as both announced plans to transfer to Arkansas-Little Rock over the summer.

The other roster changes were not as well known. Golowenski and Dallas Wilson were both listed at 125 last season which leaves the Cowboys with only one 125 on the roster who is not a true freshman with Colten Klein. This likely means that Klein will be the starter this season or the Cowboys will wrestle one of their true freshman standouts in Jakason Burks, Alexander Yokubatis, or Trevor Mastrogiovanni. I discussed this in a story on Flo, but these changes make for an interesting dilemma for OSU if they want to go with Daton Fix at 125 after his suspension. If that’s he case then they will seemingly have two options. Start Klein at 125 for the dual season then replace him with Fix for the postseason, or wrestle a true freshman that will use a season of eligibility and not be able to compete in the postseason. Who knows how that will all play out but no longer having Wilson or Golowenski makes some changes to that dilemma.

Conner Wilson looked as though he may have a shot to start at 133 last season before the Pokes went with true freshman Reece Witcraft. Alex Kauffman was another that was thought to potentially also factor into the lineup last season. Dakota Geer even projected Kauffman as potentially the starter at 197 last season.

Ultimately, with the influx of freshmen talent coming in at those weight classes, it’s not a complete shocker to see some of that group move on.

The name that stands out the most in this group is Brevin Balmeceda. Balmeceda was the top prospect for the Cowboys in the 2019 class. With a lineup possibly consisting of senior All-Americans from 133-149 this season with Kaid Brock, Dusty Hone, and Boo Lewallen, it was unlikely to see Balmeceda step in this year as a starter, but the redshirt freshman to be was certainly expected to be a factor for the future of the Cowboy program.