Oklahoma State Wrestling Dominates UNI But Seeks More Improvement

Coach David Taylor expects better performance from Cowboys ahead of showdown with Iowa State

Jan. 31, 2026 at 6:31am

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The fifth-ranked Oklahoma State wrestling team rolled to a 34-3 victory over No. 13 Northern Iowa, but coach David Taylor was less than pleased with his team's overall effort. While the Cowboys had four bonus-point wins, including a pin by heavyweight Konner Doucet, Taylor felt his wrestlers could have performed better and said the team has "more to give." The lone loss for OSU came at 184 pounds, where Zack Ryder appeared to suffer a significant shoulder injury. Taylor anticipates a better response from his squad when No. 3 Iowa State visits on Sunday for one of the Cowboys' biggest duals of the season.

Why it matters

Oklahoma State is one of the top wrestling programs in the country, and this dual against Northern Iowa was an important early-season test. While the Cowboys dominated the scoreboard, Taylor's dissatisfaction with the team's effort suggests he believes they have an even higher ceiling and can perform at an even more dominant level. The upcoming showdown with in-state rival Iowa State will be a key barometer of how the Cowboys respond to their coach's challenge.

The details

Oklahoma State rolled to a 34-3 victory over Northern Iowa, with four bonus-point wins highlighted by heavyweight Konner Doucet's pin. However, coach David Taylor was not pleased with the overall effort, saying the team has "more to give." The Cowboys' only loss came at 184 pounds, where Zack Ryder appeared to suffer a shoulder injury. Taylor praised 165-pounder Dee Lockett for rallying late to win his match, but said Lockett should have taken control earlier. The coach also expressed displeasure with 197-pounder Cody Merrill, who won 2-0 but Taylor felt could have scored more points.

  • The dual took place on Friday, January 31, 2026.
  • Oklahoma State hosts Iowa State on Sunday, February 2, 2026 at 2 p.m.

The players

David Taylor

The head coach of the Oklahoma State wrestling team, who was dissatisfied with his team's performance despite the lopsided victory over Northern Iowa.

Dee Lockett

A 165-pound wrestler for Oklahoma State who rallied late to win his match, but coach Taylor felt he should have taken control earlier.

Konner Doucet

Oklahoma State's heavyweight wrestler who earned a pin to cap the Cowboys' 34-3 victory over Northern Iowa.

Zack Ryder

The Oklahoma State wrestler at 184 pounds who appeared to suffer a significant shoulder injury during his match, though he returned to the mat.

Cody Merrill

Oklahoma State's 197-pound wrestler who won 2-0, but coach Taylor felt he could have scored more points.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't expect to be in that close of a match or even to give up my first takedown of the year, but that's what ended up happening. I just had to keep on working and finally got the last takedown. But I don't think I should be in those matches and I can just get it done before that and not make it such a scare.”

— Dee Lockett, 165-pound wrestler

“That's definitely the toughest match that he's had so far in terms of things not going his way. Find a way. That's a good thing. A young kid, to not get discouraged, he stayed pretty calm.”

— David Taylor, Head Coach

“I just think we got more to give. It's a team effort, and I think there's some really good things tonight. There's some things that we can improve. We gotta keep getting better.”

— David Taylor, Head Coach

“Honestly, I just think he was content to just win 2-0 tonight and he's got more to offer there. It's great to have that and to be able to ride someone out. He's got a lot of rideouts this year, that's awesome. But you can't just be content to win 2-0 when you can score more than that.”

— David Taylor, Head Coach

“They better be ready. That's pretty much it. We're gonna be ready. We'll rise to the occasion. This is Cowboy country and we're gonna defend it.”

— Casey Swiderski, 149-pound wrestler

What’s next

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The takeaway

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