Cowboys defeat Cornhuskers in a prime wrestling match on Sunday - headlined by an AJ Ferrari no show
LINCOLN, Neb. —
In a highly anticipated rematch at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, the No. 5 Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling team secured a hard fought 22-12 victory over the No. 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
The dual drew a record-breaking crowd of over 5,000 fans, shattering previous attendance marks for Nebraska home meets and underscoring the growing rivalry between these powerhouses.
This marked the Cowboys second win over Nebraska this season, following a dominant 33-6 triumph at the National Duals Invitational in Tulsa on November 16, but the Cornhuskers showed improvement, making the contest far more competitive than their previous encounter.
The Cowboys (now 8-1) jumped out to an early lead, winning the first bout at 125 pounds where No. 7 Troy Spratley earned a major decision over Kael Lauridsen, 12-4, to put Oklahoma State up 4-0.
Nebraska responded at 133 pounds, with No. 8 Jacob Van Dee edging No. 21 Ronnie Ramirez 4-1 in a decision, narrowing the gap to 4-3.
However, true freshman sensation No. 2 Sergio Vega ignited the Cowboys’ momentum at 141 pounds, pinning No. 3 Brock Hardy in just 1:47, the quickest fall of the dual, to extend the lead to 10-3.
Vega’s performance was a highlight, marking his first collegiate pin and improving his record to 8-0, including 5-0 against ranked foes.
The Cowboys continued to build at 149 pounds, where No. 17 Casey Swiderski controlled No. 5 Chance Lamer for a 7-2 decision, pushing the score to 13-3.
Nebraska fought back in the middle weights, starting with No. 6 Antrell Taylor’s thrilling 3-2 tiebreaker win over No. 2 Landon Robideau at 157 pounds, making it 13-6.
The Cowboys answered at 165 pounds, as No. 2 LaDarion Lockett outlasted No. 10 LJ Araujo 4-1 in sudden victory, extending the advantage to 16-6.
The Cornhuskers mounted a rally in the upper weights. At 174 pounds, No. 6 Christopher Minto defeated No. 13 Alex Facundo 4-1, and No. 9 Silas Allred followed with a 4-2 decision over No. 10 Zack Ryder at 184 pounds, closing the gap to 16-12.
But Oklahoma State sealed the deal at 197 pounds, where No. 7 Cody Merrill edged No. 12 Camden McDanel 2-1, relying on riding time for the decisive point after a low scoring affair.
The heavyweight bout provided a fitting close, with No. 7 Konner Doucet defeating Cade Ziola 2-1 in another tight decision, finalizing the 22-12 scoreline.
Notably absent from the action was former Oklahoma State national champion AJ Ferrari, who transferred to Nebraska amid controversy and was initially announced as the starter at heavyweight.
However, Ferrari did not compete, with Ziola stepping in instead, no official reason was provided in post-match reports, though speculation swirled about his readiness or strategic decisions.
Tensions flared post-dual during handshakes, as Ferrari exchanged words and appeared to get into a brief altercation with an Oklahoma State wrestler, adding more drama to an already charged atmosphere.
For Oklahoma State, the win highlighted their depth, with six bout victories, including two bonus-point wins (major and pin).
Coach John Smith praised the team’s composure in a hostile environment, noting the importance of bonus points in tight duals.
Nebraska, despite the loss, showed growth from their earlier defeat, winning four ranked matchups and keeping the score close until the end.
Coach Mark Manning emphasized the positives, like the record crowd’s energy, but lamented missed opportunities in key bouts.
This victory keeps Oklahoma State rolling into Big 12 competition, while Nebraska looks to rebound ahead of their next dual.