Oklahoma State wins its fourth weight class U title as FloWrestling's series continues with the goal of answering the question, "Which school is the best at each weight?" Today, we look at 174 pounds, a weight which just last year saw a true freshman win the NCAA title.

Cowboys fans have fond memories of two guys named Chris: Pendleton and Perry. Both of them won a couple national championships and lead the way over second-place Iowa in the time frame we examined, 2002 to 2016.

The Series So Far:

125U | 133U | 141U | 149U | 157U | 165U

Oklahoma State was the only school to qualify the weight every year. Additionally, while several teams put a guy in the finals four times, the Cowboys were the only school to win each of them. In fact, OSU went 8-0 in its All-American matches. The Cowboys were boom or bust at this weight, leaving six in the round of 12 but always finishing on the odd side of the podium if they made it through that round.

The data and graphs below were compiled by Andrew Spey, aka @JaroslavWrestle. A big thanks to him for his work throughout this series.

NCAA Qualifiers at 174 pounds (2002-16)

This appears to be the only weight in which the number of qualifiers actually mirrors the top two teams. The only year Iowa missed was 2005, but otherwise the Hawkeyes get production from their 74s at the NCAA tournament every year.

Beyond that, we see consistent qualifying from Central Michigan and Penn. They each only missed two years of sending a guy to the big dance and have a combined 10 All-Americans. For schools that aren't competing for team trophies, it speaks to an institutional culture of expecations and coaching that keeps them going back to the tournament on a frequent basis.

Missouri has done an excellent job under Brian Smith of getting its 174s to qualify, but Ben Askren accounts for nearly all of the Tigers' team points as he made the finals every year in college. Minnesota is another program that got its guys up for the Big Ten championships, but Logan Storley was the Gophers' only AA and did so four different times.

NCAA Points Accrued (2002-16)

Spey used the following system to break down the points here: 18 points for first place; 16 pts for second; 13 pts for third; 12 pts for fourth; 10 pts for fifth; nine pts for sixth; six pts for seventh; five pts for eighth; three pts for making the round of 12; two pts for making the round of 16; and one pt for making the round of 24.

When you look at the aggregate data, Oklahoma State and Iowa stand out in their ability to win medal matches. Iowa won its only final in 2010, when Jay Borschel finally got his NCAA title. The Hawkeyes went 4-0 in bronze medal matches and finished with the most All-Americans (10). Beyond that, they had seven different guys place at this weight. The one-timers include Mark Perry, Alex Meyer, Tyler Nixt, Ethen Lofthouse, and Eric Luedke.

The Cael Sanderson effect is real at this weight. Penn State had one All-American and only two qualifiers before he got to Happy Valley. Since Sanderson's arrival, the Nittany Lions have put three in the finals and came up with another three AA placings. Bo Nickal made the finals his only year at the weight, along with a sixth-place finish from Quentin Wright before he moved up in weight. Ed Ruth and Matt Brown are Penn State's NCAA champions.

Top-10 Teams at 174lbs

1) Oklahoma State
2) Iowa
3) Penn State
4) Missouri
5) Nebraska
6) Pittsburgh
7) Cornell
8) Michigan
9) Illinois
10) Minnesota

Key Scorers For Oklahoma State

Chris Pendleton (2003-05): 3rd, 1st, 1st
Chris Perry (2012-14): 3rd, 1st, 1st

Key Scorers for Iowa

Jay Borschel (2008-10): 3rd, DNP, 1st
Mike Evans (2013-15): 6th, 6th, 6th

Key Scorers for Penn State

Ed Ruth (2011-12): 3rd, 1st
Matt Brown (2013-15): 2nd, 5th, 1st

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