David Taylor’s Oklahoma Close In on Penn State After Win Over Air Force

David Taylor’s Oklahoma State Wrestling team delivered a commanding performance against the Air Force wrestling team earlier this week. Despite the heartbreak of missing out on key victories in some matchups, the Cowboys secured an important win, maintaining their streak of impressive performances this campaign.

Taylor’s men have been chasing Penn State this campaign with the two teams locked in an intense rivalry. The rivalry between Penn State and Oklahoma State became intense when Taylor shifted from Penn as a student to OSU as a head coach. Penn State Wrestling, under Cael Sanderson, has been the face of NCAA wrestling dominance for years. However, with David Taylor’s squad opening 2025 with a commanding set of results, the Cowboys are hot on the heels of Penn State.

Despite a rare and unexpected forfeit at home at 133, and the absence of Wyatt Hendrickson and Cameron Amine, the Cowboys blitzed the Falcons of Air Force. Their outstanding performance with a commanding 43-6 victory over the Falcons despite the absence of key wrestlers stole the spotlight. Filling in for their injured teammates, Colin Young and Konner Doucet stepped up to deliver stellar performances. Freshman Colin Young rose to the occasion due to Cameron Amine being injured with a memorable debut, securing an 8-2 win over Air Force’s Andrew Harmon. His ability to stay focused in a high-pressure situation showcases his potential ahead.

Konner Doucet wrestled in place for Hendrickson at heavyweight, delivering a remarkable performance. Doucet scored a 2-1 decision, solidifying the Cowboys’ victory. “Just picking up where we left off before the break,” David Taylor said. He further added, “Good to see the guys continue to improve and work on the stuff that we’re working on. Tonight was good for these guys. We’ve had a lot of tough matches, and tonight, we were able to go out, build our leads and score some points.” This shows a calculated approach to managing the Oklahoma State team’s roster while continuing to maintain an unbeatable streak. It emphasizes the team’s growth despite the challenges they had faced.

Oklahoma State demonstrated dominance by securing victories across the other seven weights. With all starters securing wins, each victory came by either fall, technical fall, or pin. However, the absence of key players like Wyatt Hendrickson raised questions on his decision to sit out.

Why did Wyatt Hendrickson from Oklahoma State decide to sit out?

Wyatt Hendrickson’s decision to sit out during the Air Force dual raised questions within the wrestling community. Hendrickson’s absence was unexpected, given his remarkable record and crucial role in the Cowboys’ lineup. Hendrickson had spent four years at the Air Force Academy until he decided to switch sides and commit to Oklahoma State. His decision to not compete against his former team shows his respect for them.

Joining the Oklahoma State program was a dream come true for Wyatt. He thought he would be ending his NCAA career after the 2024 NCAA Championship. But then he decided to come back and pick a college that would understand the weight of that decision—the Cowboys. During his time at his alma mater, Wyatt had a great NCAA record. He even earned the Most Dominant Wrestler title and had a 26-2 record.

“There’s no bad blood there at all. There’s nothing wrong with friendly competition… But if there’s pictures of me standing over my own guys and beating them—it doesn’t really sit well with me,” he said. His commitment to sportsmanship and relationships holds as much importance as his pursuit of excellence on the mat. His choice to sit out reflects a deep loyalty for his former team and his integrity as an athlete. As the season progresses, can Hendrickson balance loyalty to his past with his role in Oklahoma State’s future?