Oklahoma
Oklahoma State wrestling hoping to get ’10K in GIA’ for Missouri dual
Oklahoma State wrestling coach David Taylor recaps Cowboys’ win vs. West Virginia
Oklahoma State wrestling coach David Taylor recaps Cowboys’ win vs. West Virginia
STILLWATER — David Taylor isn’t the type to hide his goals.
One in particular that the first-year Oklahoma State wrestling coach has expressed is attendance — and the pursuit of bringing 10,000 fans to Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The Cowboys have surpassed 8,200 twice this year, and are well ahead of pace to break the program’s single-season average for attendance since the arena was expanded to its current capacity for the 2001 season.
But the third-ranked Cowboys have one last shot to hit Taylor’s 10,000 mark when they host No. 20 Missouri at 2 p.m. Sunday at GIA. They’ve labeled the goal as “10K in GIA” on social media promotions.
OSU’s season high attendance is 8,257, set a couple weeks ago in the 30-12 rout of West Virginia, and that brought the season average to 7,073.
Last year’s Cowboys set the known record for season average at 5,871. This year, the team has been over 6,000 for every dual.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Taylor said after the West Virginia win. “When we sat down with guys, we were like, ‘Hey, these are our goals for the season.’ They said, ‘You guys aren’t gonna be able to do that unless you get Team X, Y and Z to come in here. I was like, why’s that? You don’t know.
“Oklahoma State wrestling, this is an important thing to people. So I think it’s awesome.”
It’s possible that OSU has had a higher average attendance than whatever this year’s number ends up being.
Before the major renovation for 2000-01, which brought the capacity to 13,611, the previous arena had seated 6,381 since 1986. It was in the 6,700 range for a few years before that.
But the exact attendance numbers from anything before 2001 weren’t as closely tracked as they are today.
So maybe there was a season when the historically legendary program brought more fans through the GIA turnstiles.
But this year remains historical regardless, and signals the excitement Taylor brought to OSU both with his reputation and the product he’s putting on the mat — an aggressive, enthralling style of wrestling that draws fans’ attention.
“I love the amount of fans that we have,” OSU 141-pound sophomore Tagen Jamison said. “Other programs, if you look at their videos, they’re not having the support system that we have here. It’s really awesome to see the amount of fans that we get to show up.
“I think it helps drive what we’re doing already.”
At a point in time when revenue is about to become a much more impactful term in college athletics — with the NCAA antitrust settlement expected to open the door for revenue sharing directly with athletes.
“We’re in a time in college athletics where that stuff matters,” Taylor said. “How many people that come to our matches matters.
“I think we’re continuing to push the limits. It means a lot to our guys, our program, our university. It’s really cool to see that and be a part of a program that can show that type of support for wrestling.”
And it’s been particularly inspiring for the newcomers from other programs that don’t draw the way OSU has this year to see the support Cowboy fans have brought.
“I think it’s really exciting,” said OSU heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson, who wrestled the last four years at Air Force. “Stillwater is a special place. The wrestlers that come here are all special guys. There’s a lot of good stuff going on here and it’s contagious when you’re in that environment and there’s so much passion toward a sport.
“They’re all here to support the Cowboys and see some good wrestling, and we like to deliver that every single time.”
OSU vs. Missouri
2 p.m. Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater (ESPN+)
A month ago, it was fair to turn and look away from Oklahoma State baseball.
The Cowboys looked nothing like themselves. Losses piled up. The offense struggled. The pitching was worse.
Sitting below .500, the belief was that OSU would miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time under coach Josh Holliday.
My, how things can change.
There are few teams hotter than the Pokes entering conference tournament week. They’re coming off a three-game sweep of Arizona State. They’ve won 9 of 10 games.
OSU is suddenly back in the NCAA Tournament picture, too.
The Cowboys enter the Big 12 Tournament at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday as the No. 7 seed. They’ll face Baylor at 4 p.m. on ESPNU.
Here is what to know about OSU entering the postseason:
Oklahoma State baseball resume
- Record: 27-22 (15-12 Big 12, 7th)
- RPI: 45th (through May 18 games)
- Projected seed: USA TODAY: No. 3 seed in Chapel Hill Regional (last four in); D1Baseball: No. 3 seed in Corvallis Regional
- Notable: The Cowboys’ mid-season struggles and cancellation of several Big 12 games can be overlooked in part to a tough schedule. OSU’s strength of schedule ranks No. 11 in the country, according to D1Baseball.com’s RPI.
OSU baseball Big 12 Tournament preview
Never count out the Cowboys in this tournament.
The format is different — an increase to 12 teams and a change to single elimination — but the talent is just the same under Holliday.
The Cowboys get a boost by opening with Baylor, a team they took two of three from and nearly swept on the road less than two weeks ago.
But this is no easy field. Eight teams are ranked in the top 50 RPI and all 12 are in the top 90.
Should the Cowboys win, they face No. 2-seeded Kansas. The Jayhawks swept OSU in late March, signaling the downturn of OSU’s season. Another win could mean a date with No. 3 TCU.
Though that appears daunting, the Cowboys have won this tournament four times, including last season.
Why Oklahoma State baseball can make a run in NCAA Tournament
First, the Cowboys have to get in.
Though projections are favorable — Baseball America and D1Baseball.com both have OSU in as of Tuesday — a win or two in Arlington will go a long way to make them feel safe.
But get in and the Cowboys face significantly less pressure than the past three seasons. There will be no home regional, which OSU has lost each year at O’Brate Stadium since 2022.
Getting away from Stillwater could be a positive.
Plus, it helps that OSU has a bona fide ace in left-hander Harrison Bodendorf, who leads the league with 10 wins and is tied for second with a 2.43 ERA.
Mario Pesca and Hunter Watkins have also become reliable starters in the rotation.
And don’t forget about the Cowboys’ offense that can overwhelm opponents.
Slugger Nolan Schubart is third in the conference with 17 home runs after a slow start. Colin Brueggemann is not far behind with 14. And Brayden Smith has become a lightning bolt for the Cowboys’ lineup.
OSU has outscored its opponents 80-27 over the last 10 games.
Why OSU baseball can’t make a run in NCAA Tournament
Even though getting away from O’Brate Stadium might make some OSU fans who remember the past all too well feel a little better, it shouldn’t.
OSU is 18-12 at home and 5-12 in true road games.
That’s far from ideal.
So, which bullpen will show up? The one that has been rock solid in the final month or the one that was a total disaster in March?
Legendary pitching coach Rob Walton has worked his magic turning the staff around before he enters retirement. But things can turn in an instant for any college pitcher.
And though the Cowboys can slug, there are issues with the lineup. Schubart and Brueggemann are prone to strikeouts. And facing a team with strong lefties can neutralize the duo.
3 scariest SEC baseball teams to face in the 2025 conference tournament
The Montgomery Advertiser’s Adam Cole breaks down why Auburn, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are the toughest teams to play in the 2025 SEC baseball tournament.
Kentucky baseball is set to begin postseason play this afternoon against Oklahoma.
The 13th-seeded Wildcats (29-23, 13-17 SEC) will face the 12th-seeded Sooners (33-19, 14-16) in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama.
Kentucky will attempt to replicate its magical postseason last year, when it reached the College World Series.
This is the fourth time the Wildcats are playing the Sooners this season; Kentucky won the previous three matchups.
Here’s what you need to know about Kentucky’s first game in the SEC Tournament, including bracket, schedule, seeding and more:
- Date: Tuesday, May 20
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Texas (42-11)
- Arkansas (43-12)
- LSU (42-13)
- Vanderbilt (39-16)
- Georgia (42-14)
- Auburn (38-17)
- Ole Miss (37-18)
- Tennessee (41-15)
- Alabama (40-15)
- Florida (37-19)
- Mississippi State (34-20)
- Oklahoma (33-19)
- Kentucky (29-23)
- Texas A&M (28-25)
- South Carolina (28-28)
- Missouri (16-38)
All times Eastern.
First round: Tuesday, May 20
- Game 1: No. 9 seed Alabama vs. No. 16 seed Missouri | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 2: No. 12 seed Oklahoma vs. No. 13 seed Kentucky | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 3: No. 10 seed Florida vs. No. 15 seed South Carolina | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 4: No. 11 seed Mississippi State vs. No. 14 seed Texas A&M | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Second round: Wednesday, May 21
- Game 5: No. 8 seed Tennessee vs. Game 1 winner | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 6: No. 5 seed Georgia vs. Game 2 winner | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 7: No. 7 seed Ole Miss vs. Game 3 winner | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 8: No. 6 seed Auburn vs. Game 4 winner | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 22
- Game 9: No. 1 seed Texas vs. Game 5 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 10: No. 4 seed Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Quarterfinals: Friday, May 23
- Game 11: No. 2 seed Arkansas vs. Game 7 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 12: No. 3 seed LSU vs. Game 8 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Semifinals: Saturday, May 24
- Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 1 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 4:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Championship: Sunday, May 25
- Game 15: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.
An Oklahoma State Softball Player has issued a statement following a season-ending loss in the NCAA Tournament.
After falling to Arkansas in the Fayetteville Regional final, Oklahoma State’s starting pitcher Ruby Meylan, has issued a statement.
“Cowgirl Nation, I want to thank you for everything,” Meylan said. “You have taken me in from day one. When I first arrived in Stillwater, I was broken; day by day, this place has healed me.”
Meylan came to Oklahoma State after spending two seasons at the University of Washington. She played a critical role in the Huskies’ run to the 2023 Women’s College World Series. Meylan went 27-17 with a 2.31 ERA, She added 343 strikeouts in 303.2 innings pitched across 76 appearances.
With the Cowgirls in 2025, Meylen cemented herself as the No.1 pitcher. She finished the season with a 21-10 overall record and a 1.81 ERA. Meylan pitched in 209 innings allowing 66 runs on 152 hits. She had 238 strikeouts and held her opponents to a .201 batting average.
” I can’t thank God enough for allowing this program to be his plan for me,” Meylan said. “This season has been challenging in so many ways, but every challenge has been worth it.”
” I wouldn’t change a single thing; I am so blessed to have gone to war with this group of girls and coaches, ” she went to to say.
Oklahoma State wrapped up yet another impressive season finishing with a 35-20 overall record., but according to Meylan there is much more her and the Cowgirls want to accomplish,
“For the rest of my life, I promise to give Stillwater, Oklahoma State University, and Cowgirl softball everything I have. left in me, ” Meylan said.
“We have some unfinished business.”
More News: 2025 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament: Bracket, Schedule & Updates
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