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Youth Movement Lifts Oklahoma State To Runner-Up Finish At NCAAs – FloWrestling

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Youth Movement Lifts Oklahoma State To Runner-Up Finish At NCAAs – FloWrestling


Uncertainty.

For an Oklahoma State program that began the season with one returning starter, there were a lot of questions about how the program would follow up its first NCAA trophy finish since 2021. However, Cowboy coach David Taylor knew one thing: His team was going to get hardened in November. 

“When you start the season, and there’s just a lot of uncertainty in our lineup going from last year having a very veteran team,” Taylor said. “We talked about this all year — just having that uncertainty. I think about each one of those guys, all 10 of those guys are wrestling in the national tournament. They all just had points of difficulty throughout the year and a lot of those guys had a really tough November. We had a tough early season and we knew we needed that as a team. We needed our guys to be kind of hardened and battle-tested. And then I think at the national tournament, our guys wrestled really well. I think that this young group is just really motivated and hungry and they wrestled their best at the national tournament, which that’s the goal.”

A season that began with uncertainty quickly morphed into one filled with excitement, thanks to a few transfers, a high school phenom enrolling mid-season, and multiple freshmen entering the postseason undefeated. 

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The Cowboys peaked at the right time, finishing second at the NCAA Championships, and made history with three true freshmen national champions in Jax Forrest (133), Sergio Vega (141) and Landon Robideau (157). Oklahoma State also had five more All-Americans in Troy Spratley (fifth at 125), Casey Swiderski (eighth at 149), Zack Ryder (eighth at 184), Cody Merrill (second at 197) and Konner Doucet (fourth at 285). 

Forrest, said the historic milestone of the freshmen is a reflection of the team and its lofty goals.     “I think it just shows how we’ve got some really good coaches, we’ve got some really good guys in the room, and we’re just going to continue to keep getting better,” Forrest said. “But like what coach was saying, yeah, we won nationals, that’s awesome. But now we want to win a team title. We want to beat Penn State. We have a great foundation, but then just keep going forward, keep getting better and just trusting the coaches and win it next year.”

Underdog Now Undeniable

Sergio Vega might have been one of the biggest underdogs on the NCAA finals stage, despite going into the match undefeated on the season. That was a reflection of his opponent — two-time NCAA champion Jesse Mendez, a senior from Ohio State who spent most of the season as a Hodge Trophy contender. 

Vega kicked off the trio of Cowboy champs by defeating Mendez 4-1 in sudden victory. After securing the winning takedown, Vega raised his fist, smiled and went to embrace his family, sitting matside. 

“It means everything,” Vega said. “I remember telling my brother at the beginning of the year, like it’s going to be awesome when I win the nationals and run up to my family and stuff. It’s been my favorite part of watching the national tournament since I was a little kid. I just always thought it was so cool that their families were always right next to them, and then being able to experience that, there’s nothing like it I’ve experienced in my life. So, it was awesome.”

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Robideau’s Redemption

Landon Robideau went into the NCAA Championships with two losses — one against Nebraska’s Antrell Taylor and another versus Arizona State’s Kaleb Larkin. To make the finals against Taylor, Robideau had to avenge a handful of losses. He had to beat Larkin, who defeated him in the Big 12 finals, and he had to beat Penn State’s PJ Duke in the semifinals, who defeated Robideau in the 2025 U.S. Open. 

“I was just excited,” Robideau said. “I know a lot of people thought my spot in the bracket was tough or was going to be hard. But I said it all year — I want to wrestle the best guys and I think to prove you’re the best at the weight, you have to wrestle them. I lost to Larkin. I had to wrestle him in the quarters, and I was excited for the match. A lot of people, I think, were writing me off for (PJ) Duke, saying he’s the best guy at the weight. I get to wrestle Duke and I was excited for it. And then Antrell (Taylor), same thing — I lost to him. I knew I was going to win. But I think just having that excitement to go into the tournament, wanting to wrestle hard and just showcase my skills was the most important.”

Konner’s Curtain Call

Konner Doucet represented Oklahoma State at the NCAA Championships twice before two-time All-American Wyatt Hendrickson transferred from Air Force and took over at heavyweight for the Cowboys. 

In the current state of college athletics — with the transfer portal and NIL — it would’ve been easy for Doucet to leave Oklahoma State for opportunities elsewhere. Instead, Doucet elected to stick with the Cowboys and spent a year training with Hendrickson before getting a final shot as a senior. 

Doucet registered the highest bonus-point rate of his career and capped his senior season by placing fourth at the NCAA Championships. 

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Taylor recalled embracing Doucet after the senior earned All-America status by pinning Pitt’s Dayton Pitzer in the blood round. 

“It was so awesome,” Taylor said. “You could just see that round is a very emotional round. I think from the stands, it’s emotional. When you’re watching it as a fan, it’s emotional. But being down there on the floor, last year, for the first time? I mean, the emotion of that round is like nothing else that you really kind of prepare for, probably. For him to be there and All-American, obviously, at that time, I felt like our team race was pretty competitive, for second, third place. Felt like that was a big moment for him to not only get the win, but to pin him and be an All-American, and just continuing to move forward.”





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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Drops Second Consecutive Conference Series in a Tight Battle with the Tide

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Oklahoma Drops Second Consecutive Conference Series in a Tight Battle with the Tide


NORMAN — From the first to the beginning of the bottom of the fifth, Alabama pitchers retired 13 of 17 Oklahoma batters, with only one Sooner reaching at least second. As the opportunities went by, OU’s first inning blunder loomed larger and larger.

Despite forcing a decisive game for Saturday, Oklahoma could not overcome one bad inning and squandered opportunities, losing 3-2 and the series to the Crimson Tide. It’s OU’s second conference series loss in the last two weeks after winning their first two against Texas A&M and LSU.

The left-hander Trent Collier (1.93 ERA) got the call to start in Saturday afternoon’s rubber game for No. 11 Oklahoma against No. 16 Alabama. They typical day three starter Cord Rager sat out, dealing with lat tenderness — Skip Johnson said the freshman’s future wasn’t worth the risk of playing him.

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Oklahoma (21-10) and Collier started off with turbulence. An ill-timed shift led to a base hit. That was followed by another base hit. A walk loaded the bases. Then two back-to-back pitches resulted in a wild pitch and a passed ball to allow Alabama (25-8) two runs.

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Trey Gambill heads to first after a hit. | Carson Field, Sooners On S

Eric Hines cracked a shot to deep center that Jason Walk lost in the sun, resulting in an error and the Tide’s third run.

But Oklahoma bounced back when they had their chance. Where base-running aggression bit them last week in Austin, it earned the Sooners their first run of the game when Trey Gambill beat the tag at the plate after a Brenden Brock base hit.

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“I thought we gave that game away for sure,” Johnson said afterwards. “We’ve got to keep the ball in front of us. We’ve got to play fundamental baseball. We beat ourselves in that inning.”

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It took almost two hours for the OU to find an offensive spark against the pesky Alabama. They found it in an unorthodox way.

Down 3-1 with two outs and bases loaded in the fifth, Kyle Branch singled up the middle where second basemen Brennan Holt attempted to throw out Deiten LaChance for the third and final out. LaChance beat the force out, running a few feet passed the bag — allowing Drew Dickerson to score.

But LaChance wasn’t done trying to add another run. After beating the tag, he rounded towards third to buy time for Alec Blair to reach home. Alabama short stop Justin LeBron applied the tag to LaChance but not before Blair appeared to score to tie the game.

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Alec Blair at the plate. | Carson Field, Sooners On SI

A review would show that Blair didn’t reach in time, leaving the Sooners still behind at 3-2.

OU would continue to have chances in the final three innings. Solid performances from their bullpen allowed minimal damage at the plate from Alabama. But the Soners had trouble making the most of any opportunity after a batter reached a base.

Oklahoma’s inability to do much damage at the plate counter balanced their superb pitching performances on the day.

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“Early in the year, we’re getting two-out hits,” Johnson said. “Now, we haven’t got a two-out hit in a while. So, that goes back to having confidence, that goes back to trying too hard. You’ve got to deal with it and keep playing.”

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The Sooners will head back on the road for a Monday clash against Dallas Baptist at 6:30 p.m. Afterwards, OU will take on Vanderbilt in Nashville for a weekend series beginning Thursday, April 9 at 6 p.m.



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Severe Storms Damage Homes in Southwest Oklahoma City – Oklahoma City Today

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Severe Storms Damage Homes in Southwest Oklahoma City – Oklahoma City Today


The powerful storm system that swept through Oklahoma City left behind a trail of destruction, exposing the raw, sublime power of nature.Oklahoma City Today

Powerful storms rolled through the Oklahoma City metro area on Friday night, causing significant damage in the southwest part of the city. Fallen trees, downed power lines, and scattered debris were reported, with a trampoline being tossed into power lines near Southwest 82nd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, knocking out electricity in the neighborhood. No injuries were reported, but the storms left a trail of destruction across the affected area.

Why it matters

Severe weather events can pose a serious threat to public safety and infrastructure, especially in densely populated urban areas like Oklahoma City. This incident highlights the need for effective emergency preparedness and response measures to mitigate the impact of such storms on local communities.

The details

The storms brought high winds and heavy rainfall to the region, snapping tree limbs, toppling fences, and causing other property damage across southwest Oklahoma City. A trampoline was blown into power lines near the intersection of Southwest 82nd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, knocking out electricity in the surrounding neighborhood. Emergency crews worked quickly to assess the damage and restore power to affected areas.

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  • The severe storms moved through the Oklahoma City metro area on Friday night, April 4, 2026.

The players

Oklahoma City

The largest city in the state of Oklahoma and the county seat of Oklahoma County.

KOCO 5

The ABC-affiliated television station serving the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“No injuries were reported, but damage was scattered throughout the neighborhood.”

— Patrick Talbot, KOCO 5 Reporter

What’s next

Local authorities and utility companies will continue to assess the damage and work to restore power and clear debris in the affected areas.

The takeaway

This severe storm event serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for communities to be resilient in the face of extreme weather. Residents should stay vigilant and heed all warnings from local officials to ensure their safety during such events.

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Severe Weather Forecast for Oklahoma City – Oklahoma City Today

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Severe Weather Forecast for Oklahoma City – Oklahoma City Today


As a severe storm system approaches, the vast Oklahoma landscape is dwarfed by the overwhelming power of nature.Oklahoma City Today

The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning for the Oklahoma City metro area, with strong storms, heavy rain, and potential tornadoes expected to move through the region from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.

Why it matters

Severe weather events can cause significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, as well as pose a threat to public safety. Residents of Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas should closely monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take shelter if necessary.

The details

According to the latest weather models, a powerful storm system is expected to bring a heightened risk of severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail, and possible tornadoes to the Oklahoma City area. The storms are forecast to develop on Friday afternoon and continue through the overnight hours, with the greatest threat occurring during the late evening and early morning hours on Saturday.

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  • The severe weather is expected to begin around 3PM on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • The storms are forecast to continue through the overnight hours, with the highest risk occurring between 10PM Friday and 6AM Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is the primary source for weather data, forecasts, and warnings in the United States.

Fox 25 Oklahoma City

A local television news station that covers weather and other news for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Residents should closely monitor weather conditions and be prepared to take shelter if severe storms develop in their area.”

— John Smith, Meteorologist

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates as necessary. Residents should stay tuned to local media and be prepared to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued for their area.

The takeaway

Severe weather events can be unpredictable and dangerous, underscoring the importance of being prepared and heeding the warnings of local authorities. Residents of Oklahoma City should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property in the face of this impending storm system.

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