Swiderski, Lockett and Routledge crowd Oklahoma State's 165
Only one can chase an NCAA title at this weight. We lean toward Casey Swiderski, but LaDarion Lockett has a win that should fuel the argument.
Oklahoma State has three ranked wrestlers chasing one varsity spot at 165. Only one can represent the Cowboys at the NCAA tournament there. Being good enough to start somewhere else does nothing to solve this fight.
- Casey Swiderski, Oklahoma State #4 at 165
- LaDarion Lockett, Oklahoma State #5 at 165
- Kody Routledge, Oklahoma State #14 at 165
Swiderski gets our lean
Casey Swiderski Oklahoma State #4 at 165
Casey Swiderski finished in NCAA 8th place last season. That finish is why we would bet on the senior to start. Ranked No. 4 after a 17-8 season, he has the strongest tournament finish listed in this crowded field.
Swiderski beat Lachlan McNeil and Jacob Frost by matching 4-2 decisions. But losses to Ryder Block, Shayne Van Ness and Cross Wasilewski leave room to challenge him. His NCAA finish earns our confidence, not ownership of the spot.
Lockett has the argument
LaDarion Lockett Oklahoma State #5 at 165
LaDarion Lockett's 7-3 win over Mikey Caliendo is where his case gets loud. Add a 7-2 victory over Matty Bianchi and an 18-4 record, and the sophomore has plenty to bring to this fight. Ranked No. 5, he should not be treated as a backup waiting his turn.
Lockett also lost to Nicco Ruiz, Cesar Alvan and Andrew Sparks. The Alvan loss came by fall; Sparks beat him 10-3. We like his chances to push for the job, but those results keep us from declaring him the answer.
Routledge can spoil the debate
Kody Routledge Oklahoma State #14 at 165
Kody Routledge deserves more than a passing mention. The freshman ranks No. 14 after going 6-2, with an 11-8 win over Max Norman and an 11-3 major decision over Peyten Kellar. Those wins give fans a reason to argue for the third name.
Routledge lost 10-9 to Nicco Ruiz and 10-5 to Braeden Scoles. The narrow Ruiz result gives his supporters something to point to, but we need more than a close loss to put him at the front of this race.
Our vote stays with Swiderski. His NCAA placing carries the most weight in our call, even with losses that invite debate. We would start him at 165, and we would expect him to have to earn it.