Oklahoma State Wrestling comes away victorious on the road, defeating No. 6 overall Virginia Tech in a tight battle
BLACKSBURG, VA — In a big clash between two top college wrestling programs, the No. 3 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys emerged victorious against the No. 6 Virginia Tech Hokies with a final score of 19-12.
The dual took place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia, drawing a near-record crowd of 6,147 fans eager to witness the showdown.
This marked Oklahoma State’s 14th win of the season, improving their record to 14-1 overall and maintaining a perfect 7-0 in Big 12 conference play.
The match kicked off at 125 pounds, where Virginia Tech’s No. 3 Eddie Ventresca edged out OSU’s Troy Spratley in a tight 2-1 decision in tiebreaker, giving the Hokies an early 3-0 lead.
However, the Cowboys quickly responded at 133 pounds with a dramatic comeback from No. 16 Jax Forrest.
Facing No. 7 Aaron Seidel, Forrest overcame an early deficit in a back-and-forth battle, securing a 10-9 decision that tied the score at 3-3. This victory was an instant classic, reminiscent of their PIAA state finals rematch, noting Forrest’s fight and tactical strengths.
Building on that momentum, OSU’s Sergio Vega delivered a dominant performance at 141 pounds, earning a major decision that propelled the Cowboys ahead.
Vega’s control throughout the match highlighted Oklahoma State’s depth in the lower weights, setting a tone of aggressive offense that Virginia Tech struggled to counter consistently.
The Hokies fought back though, securing wins in several key bouts. At 149 pounds, Drew Gorman clinched a 4-1 sudden victory over OSU’s Beau Hickman, with sharp takedown skills in overtime.
Later, No. 32 Jaden Bullock blanked Trevor Dopps 2-0 at 184 pounds, relying on solid defense and ride time to stifle any comeback attempts.
The upset of the day came at 197 pounds, where No. 14 Sonny Sasso upset No. 7 Cody Merrill with a narrow 2-1 decision, avoiding a late takedown to seal the win for Virginia Tech.
These victories kept the Hokies in contention, narrowing the gap against the Cowboys and keeping the home crowd in it.
Despite Virginia Tech’s four individual wins, Oklahoma State dominated the remaining six weight classes, amassing enough points through decisions and bonus points to secure the team victory.
The Cowboys’ lineup, under head coach David Taylor, proved too much for the Hokies, who fell to 10-3 overall despite their undefeated 5-0 ACC record.
Standout performances from Forrest and Vega were pivotal, sparking the team and continuing OSU’s championship aspirations.
This dual served as a crucial win for Oklahoma State, testing their mental against a formidable non-conference opponent in a bit of a rowdy environment.
The win reinforces their status as a top contender heading into the postseason, with their blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent shining through.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma State returns home to Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater for their next matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2 p.m. CT.
This highly anticipated Big 12 clash against another powerhouse promises to be a highlight of the season, offering the Cowboys a chance to further solidify their dominance before the conference championships.