Norman — The toughest match of the entire Big 12 Wrestling Championships ended up being important only to those in the circle.
Iowa State’s David Zabriskie edged Oklahoma State’s Jared Rosholt, 3-1, in the second overtime period to claim the heavyweight title.
It was the last match of the night, but the team title already belonged to the second-seeded Cowboys, who edged Iowa State 70.5-69 for the team title at McCasland Field House.
“It’s good to be on top in the Big 12,” OSU coach John Smith said after his team ended the Cyclones’ three-year string of Big 12 Championship titles. “They become special when you haven’t won one in a while.”
The Cowboys crowned three individual champions with Jordan Oliver, who shared Most Outstanding Wrestler honors with Oklahoma’s 125-pounder Jarrod Patterson, claiming the title at 133. Jamal Parks won at 141 pounds and Clayton Foster was the 197-pound champion.
The three individual titles tied OU for the most at the event.
Iowa State, which went undefeated during the dual season, crowned two champions with Jake Varner winning at 197 pounds and Zabriskie. Its chances of winning a fourth straight tournament title were sunk when Missouri’s Nicholas Marable upset Iowa State’s John Reader at 165 pounds.
The Sooners finished third with 64 points. The Tigers were fourth with 33. Nebraska’s Stephen Dwyer was the Huskers’ only individual champion and helped his team finish with 32 points.
