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Oklahoma State Wrestling Riding High In Chase To Regain Big 12 Title – FloWrestling

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Oklahoma State Wrestling Riding High In Chase To Regain Big 12 Title – FloWrestling


Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith seemed to have more optimism about winning the Big 12 championship this year than he has had in recent years. 

There is a big reason why. 

“This is a better team than both of those teams the last two years — period,” Smith said.

He isn’t wrong. This is the most complete and healthy team Oklahoma State has had in recent years and the Cowboys have a real chance of challenging the likes of Missouri and Iowa State for the crown. 

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It would be a big achievement for the #3 Oklahoma State, but there are no easy roads to become the champs.

For some Cowboys, the Big 12 tournament will be a great simulation for the NCAA tournament. At 165, #4-seed Izzak Olejnik debatably has the hardest bracket of all Cowboys. Olejnik has four losses on the year, three of which came against the three wrestlers seeded above him. 

“Those guys are the toughest guys in the country,” Smith said. “Izzak’s got a lot ahead of him. He’s got to go wrestle well.”

Second-seeded Dustin Plott is projected to be a finalist at 184 pounds, but so will #1 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa. Keckeisen and Plott met earlier this year, with the UNI senior winning by a 12-6 decision. Smith had high praise for Keckeisen but also thinks Plott is just as good.

“That kid from UNI is going to be a finalist at the NCAA Championships, that’s how good he is,” Smith said. “And, Plott is every bit as good as him. Dustin’s been pretty consistent this year with his behavior and his attitude on the mat. Not giving up easy takedowns, not giving up cheap points.”

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Troy Spratley is seeded #2 with a bye in a loaded 125-pound bracket. Spratley is seeded lower than Missouri’s Noah Surtin, who lost to the freshman Cowboy 4-1 earlier in the season. Spratley said he doesn’t really care about brackets and seeds, but he does care about byes.

“I don’t really tend to like having a bye,” Spratley said. “I like going out there and setting the tone for our team, it’s big if you can go out there and be the first one on the mat and get a win for your team. I don’t really care [about brackets], it is what it is. You gotta beat the best guy, so, it doesn’t matter where you’re at.”

The Importance Of Winning The Big 12 

It has been two years since the Cowboys were co-Big 12 champions and three years since they won the tournament outright. Smith said he takes a lot of pride in winning the Big 12. He is also tired of not winning it. 

Winning the Big 12 not only on a team level, but an individual level does a lot for a wrestler in the national tournament. Winning the Big 12 tournament can guarantee a higher seed at the NCAA Championships. Smith said the team put themselves in a good position to take home a title. 

“It moves you into a better place when you do win it,” Smith said. “At the beginning of the year, if you looked at it, it didn’t look like much of a chance, but we definitely put ourselves in position with our seeds. It’s going to take 10 guys, though. You can’t have somebody have a poor tournament who you were expecting big points out of. You’re not gonna win it, if you lose one of those guys, you’re not gonna win it. The national tournament is a different story, but this tournament, you can’t lose someone. Everybody needs to score points.”

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It would be even bigger for Oklahoma State to win it on its home turf at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK. Smith said the BOK Center has been first-class when it comes to Big 12 Wrestling. He also said he hasn’t seen as many cities committing to the conference championships as Tulsa has. 





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Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: June 28, 2026

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Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: June 28, 2026


In this week’s Your Vote Counts, Oklahoma’s Own Scott Mitchell leads Jason Dunnington and Sen. Paul Rosino in a discussion about new Oklahoma laws, including those addressing data centers. Other topics include inflation and the ongoing impact of the war in Iran.





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Where to find July 4th fireworks, festivals, and family fun in Oklahoma

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Where to find July 4th fireworks, festivals, and family fun in Oklahoma


Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate Independence Day in Oklahoma this year? From massive fireworks displays over Grand Lake to food truck festivals and live music across the OKC metro, communities are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Grab your lawn chairs, round up the family, and get ready for an unforgettable week of summer fun. Here is your ultimate guide to the best Fourth of July events happening right in your backyard!

Key takeaways

  • The bigger picture: Oklahoma communities are going all out for Independence Day in 2026, with celebrations spanning from Norman’s four-day Fourth Fest to major fireworks displays in Edmond, Tulsa, and on Grand Lake — giving families across the state plenty of options close to home.
  • More details: Highlights include Liberty Fest in Edmond, one of the largest fireworks displays in the metro area, the Duck Creek Fireworks on Grand Lake featuring a War Bird flyover tribute synchronized to patriotic music, and Tribute to Liberty in Midwest City, which combines live music, a laser show, and fireworks in honor of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.
  • Why this matters: This year’s celebrations carry extra weight as part of America’s semiquincentennial, with several events — including Tribute to Liberty and the Duck Creek Fireworks — built around honoring both the nation’s founding and the service members who’ve defended it.
  • Date: 9:45 p.m. July 1-4
  • Location: Reaves Park; 2501 S Jenkins Ave., Norman

This year’s Fourth Fest is bigger than ever before, spanning four days. The city has added additional programming across multiple parks. Before the fireworks, enjoy a wide range of attractions including bouncy houses, local vendors, food trucks, pony rides, and a petting zoo. The fireworks show begins at 9:45 p.m. on July 4.

  • Date: 8:30 p.m. July 3
  • Location: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St., Oklahoma City

OKCPHIL’s Red, White, and Boom concert is a high-energy celebration that brings the community together for an unforgettable summer evening of music. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic performs a vibrant program of American classics, fan favorites, and patriotic anthems.

  • Date: 6-10 p.m. July 3
  • Location: Boomer Lake Park; 2310 E Lakeview Road, Stillwater

This Independence Day celebration will include area vendors, food trucks, hometown hospitality, and a fireworks show. Free parking will be available at Stillwater High School’s Pioneer Stadium.

  • Date: July 3-4
  • Location: Yukon City Park & Chisholm Trail Park, 2200 S Holly Ave., Yukon

Bring the whole family to Freedom Fest in Yukon! Experience a lineup of live outdoor concerts, peruse the food trucks on site, and enjoy the activities for kids.

  • Date: 2-10 p.m. July 4
  • Location: Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12th St., Moore

Enjoy one of the largest fireworks shows in the state with food trucks, vendors, and activities throughout the day. Admission is free. Fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m.

  • Date: 7-10 p.m. July 4
  • Location: Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave., Midwest City

Bring your chairs and join Midwest City in its celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Enjoy food trucks, games, The Wise Guys performing live on stage, a huge fireworks display, and a laser show.

  • Date: 9:30 p.m. July 4
  • Location: University of Central Oklahoma; 100 N University Drive, Edmond

Liberty Fest’s grand finale is one of the largest fireworks displays in the metro area. Bring your entire family to witness the spectacular show. Parking is available in lots on campus.

  • Date: July 4
  • Location: Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, 32888 S 4507 Road, No. 8123, Afton

Duck Creek Fireworks is the longest-running tradition on Grand Lake. Keep an eye out for the highly anticipated War Bird flyover, a tribute to the men and women serving overseas. The fireworks, beginning at sunset, will be synchronized to patriotic music.

  • Date: July 4
  • Location: River West Festival Park, 2100 S Jackson Ave., Tulsa

Celebrate America’s independence at Tulsa’s annual FreedomFest celebration. This celebration includes all-ages entertainment and a variety of activities and tasty concessions. FreedomFest features one of the largest free fireworks displays in Oklahoma.





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Oklahoma Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for June 27, 2026

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Oklahoma Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for June 27, 2026


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The Oklahoma Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 27, 2026, results for each game:

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Winning Powerball numbers from June 27 drawing

03-16-28-30-59, Powerball: 11, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from June 27 drawing

03-08-18-22-39, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 27 drawing

3-6-9

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 27 drawing

15-17-20-25-26

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 27 drawing

02-26-34-43-45, Powerball: 15

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 27 drawing

26-32-38-51-52, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

  • Sign Your Ticket: Please make sure to sign and complete the back of your ticket
  • You have 180 days from the draw date to claim your prize.
  • Prizes up to $600: Can be claimed at any Oklahoma Lottery retailer or at the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center, located at 300 N. Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
  • Prizes from $601 to $49,999: These can be claimed at the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center or by mail. Payments can be issued as a check or direct deposit (ACH). Claiming in person requires a photo of the front and back of the winning ticket, a valid ID, official proof of Social Security number and a completed claim form.
  • Prizes of $50,000 or more: These can be claimed in person at the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center or by mail. Payment options include check or ACH. Bring a photo of the front and back of the winning ticket, proof of Social Security number, a completed claim form, and valid ID.

Mail-in Claims: Mail the original signed ticket and a completed claim form to the Oklahoma Lottery, P.O. Box 548810, Oklahoma City, OK 73154. For direct deposit, include a voided check or bank letter with your account details. Non-winning tickets are not accepted, and Oklahoma Lottery assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen mail.

For additional details, refer to the official Oklahoma Lottery claim page.

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When are the Oklahoma Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • MEGA Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily
  • Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Pick 3: 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
  • Cash 5: 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oklahoma editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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