Cowboy Wrestling Begins Season With Orange and Black Ranking Matches

STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State wrestling team will kick off its 2021 season with the Orange and Black Ranking Matches held in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Jan. 3 at 12 p.m.

Fans will have a chance to see the Cowboys wrestle against each other with the matchups being selected by the OSU staff to prepare for the upcoming dual season. The event will not be streamed, but fans who cannot attend the event can listen to the matches on KSPI-FM 93.7 beginning at 11:30 a.m.

"It'll be an opportunity for some of our guys to wrestle close to their weight and be able to give us an idea of where they are at seven days before we actually wrestle," head coach John Smith said."

Eight returning starters from last year's lineup paired with the arrival of the nation's No. 1 recruiting class have led to high aspirations for the Cowboys heading into the 2021 season. The ranking matches will also be the first time back on the mat for All-Americans, Kaid Brock and Daton Fix, who didn't take the mat for the Cowboys last season.

The Orange and Black Ranking Matches are open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. No ticket will be required for entry as fans will be allowed in through the southeast doors of Gallagher-Iba Arena and will open at 11 a.m. In order to provide the safest environment for our student-athletes, no 100-level seating will be available for this event, but fans may sit in any non-zip tied location in the 200 or 300 level.

Parking for this event will also be on a first come, first serve basis on the south side of the arena.

Oklahoma State will host five events at home this year including the ranking matches and the official season opener, which will take place on Jan. 10 when the Cowboys wrestle UT-Chattanooga and Oregon State.