Redshirt Freshman Cael Hughes Earns Weekly Big 12 Honors
(Robert Allen of Pokes Report contributed to this story from the Big 12 and Oklahoma State.)
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State 133-pounder Cael Hughes was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for his thrilling upset over NC State’s two-time All-American and seventh-ranked Kai Orine, the conference announced Wednesday.
A redshirt freshman competing in just his third career dual, Hughes flipped the momentum Monday against No. 5 NC State and propelled the Cowboys to a 34-3 victory, their largest over a top-five opponent since 1996. Following a Hughes ride out in the second period and five minutes of scoreless action, the Stillwater native finally broke through as he secured a reversal and put Orine on his back for the pin in 5:20. The win improved Hughes’ record to 7-0 on the season and was the first of his career over a ranked opponent.
“I put myself in the mindset that I wanted to be ruthless,” Hughes said. “Most of all, I wanted to have fun. This is the fun part of wrestling, competing. All of the practice is much more difficult and nobody sees it. I really felt that in this match.”
“Cael made the most of it tonight,” Oklahoma State head coach David Taylor said after the dual. “He took an opportunity. He started it in the first period, did a good job of riding him hard in the second period, and obviously flouried away on top at the end. This is a moment he will remember forever. This was a good thing for him and our team.”
Hughes is the second Cowboy this season to win Big 12 Wrestler of the Week after heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson did so on December 11. It is the first weekly conference award of Hughes’ young career.