Oklahoma State, the unofficial hosts of the National Duals Invitational and the only program from the state of Oklahoma at the event, starts its quest for the $200,000 grand prize against another perennial trophy-chasing program, the Cornell Big Red. 

Cornell will be an underdog, as Oklahoma State has a very deep roster and well-rounded lineup. Additionally, Cornell will be without the services of two-time All-American Meyer Shapiro at 157, as the U17 and U20 world champ plans to return to the lineup in the second semester. That doesn't mean, however, that Cornell has no chance of pulling off the upset, just that the young squad David Taylor has assembled in Stillwater is particularly fearsome. Additionally, even if they come up short, there are several opportunities for individual Cornellians to pick up big wins (and likewise for the Cowboys). 

Probable Lineups

Oklahoma State

125 - #2 Troy Spratley

133 - #12 Richard Figueroa

141 - Sergio Vega or Carter Young

149 - #4 Casey Swiderski

157 - #4 Landon Robideau or Teague Travis

165 - #4 LaDarion Lockett

174 - #10 Alex Facundo

184 - #4 Zack Ryder

197 - #9 Cody Merrill

285 - #9 Konner Doucet

Cornell

125 - #25 Marcello Milani or Greg Diakomihalis

133 - Tyler Ferrera or #25 Brett Ungar

141 - Josh Saunders

149 - #9 Jaxon Joy

157 - Benny Rogers

165 - Louis Cerchio

174 - #3 Simon Ruiz

184 - Christian Hansen

197 - Aiden Hanning

285 - Ashton Davis

Potential Key Matchups

141 Pounds

The Cowboys will be substantial favorites at 125 and 133, where they have two veteran podium-placers. Neither Cornell nor Oklahoma State, however, has a ranked wrestler at 141. Coach Mike Grey's options are Josh Saunders and Vince Cornella, both blue-chip recruits and former national qualifiers. They're also both seniors with a lot of experience in big-time matchups. Oklahoma State started fellow blue-chip recruit Sergio Vega in their first dual against Stanford. Vega picked up the win but it was against an unranked opponent. Additionally, Vega is still a true freshman, though the Cowboys also have former national qualifier Carter Young on the roster. 

141 is very much a toss-up, and we'll have to wait and see which wrestler both programs elect to trot out in this long, meat grinder of a tournament. 

149 Pounds

In what may be the marquee matchup of the dual, Oklahoma State has Iowa State transfer and All-American Casey Swiderski, while Cornell has blue-chip freshman Jaxon Joy. What could be more fun in a weight class that is already chaos after two weeks than a top ten matchup?

In week 1, Joy defeated All-American Ethan Stiles at the Clarion Open, then lost to high school phenom Bo Bassett. Also in week 1, Casey Swiderski defeated multiple-time All-American Lachlan McNeil at the NWCA All-Star Classic (in a match that was technically an exhibition). Cornell and Joy did not compete in week 2, while Swiderski was majored by Stanford's Aden Valencia. 

Hopefully, both these hammers meet in Tulsa for another match that could add to the consternation of college rankers everywhere. 

Watch Swiderski vs McNeil at the All-Star Classic:

174 Pounds

Oklahoma State has wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in the next six weight classes, while Cornell has only one at their disposal: Simon Ruiz at 174-pounds. That would set up another potential top ten matchups between Ruiz, who was fifth last season as a freshman, and Alex Facundo, a transfer from Penn State who was a national qualifier in 2023 at 165.

Facundo was subsequently unable to crack the starting lineup at powerhouse Penn State, but don't be mistaken, as Facundo is a U17 world bronze medalist, a U20 world teamer and a senior Pan-Am gold medalist. As a blue-chip recruit out of Michigan, his lack of postseason starts is more a testament to the depth of Penn State's roster than it is an indictment of his talent. Facundo is also arguably only now wrestling at his most natural weight of 174. 

This bout will be a crucial, early-season test for both wrestlers. And though it may not ultimatley matter to the outcome of the dual, it could very well determine whether Cornell faithful leave this competition feeling disappointed or hopeful.  

Watch Ruiz vs Lenny Pinto at the All-Star Classic: 

2025-26 Oklahoma State Overview

Head Coach: David Taylor (2nd season)

Assistants: Jimmy Kennedy, Kevin Ward, Tyler Caldwell

2025 NCAA tournament finish: 3rd

2025 NCAA tournament points: 102

2025 Big 12 tournament finish: 1st

2025 Dual Record: 13-1

Returning All-Americans: 3 (Troy Spratley, Richard Figueroa, Casey Swiderski)

Returning National Qualifiers: 9 (Troy Spratley, Richard Figueroa, Carter Young, Tagen Jamison, Casey Swiderski, Teague Travis, Alex Facundo, Brayden Thompson, Konnor Doucet)

Key Off-Season Transfers: Richard Figueroa (Arizona State), Casey Swiderski (Iowa State), Alex Facundo (Penn State), Zack Ryder (Penn State)

Last NCAA Champion: 2025 (Dean Hamiti, Wyatt Hendrickson)

Highest NCAA Team Finish: 1st (1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)

Highest NCAA Team Finish under Taylor: 3rd

2025-26 Cornell Overview

Head Coach: Mike Grey (5th season)

Assistants: Kellen Russell, Scottie Boykin, David McFadden

2025 NCAA tournament finish: 6th

2025 NCAA tournament points: 50

2025 Ivy League tournament finish: 1st

2025 Dual Record: 11-1

Returning All-Americans: 2 (Meyer Shapiro, Simon Ruiz)

Returning National Qualifiers: 10 (Marcello Milani, Tyler Ferrera, Brett Ungar, Josh Saunders, Vince Cornella, Ethan Fernandez, Meyer Shapiro, Simon Ruiz, Mikey Dellagatta, Ashton Davis)

Key Off-Season Transfers: N/A

Last NCAA Champion: 2024 (Vito Arujau)

Highest NCAA Team Finish: 2nd

Highest NCAA Team Finish under Grey: 2024 (2nd)

Oklahoma State vs Cornell Predictions

125: Spratley, Oklahoma State over Milani by decision - OSU 3, CU 0

133: Figueroa, Oklahoma State over Ferrera or Ungar by decision - OSU 6, CU 0

141: Saunders, Cornell over Vega, Cornell by decision - OSU 6, CU 3

149: Swiderski, Oklahoma State over Joy, Cornell by decision - OSU 9, CU 3

157: Robideau, Oklahoma State over Rogers, Cornell by major - OSU 13, CU 3

165: Lockett, Oklahoma State over Cerchio, Cornell by decision - OSU 16, CU 3

174: Ruiz, Cornell over Facundo, Oklahoma State by decision - OSU 16, CU 6

184: Ryder, Oklahoma State over Hansen, Cornell by decision - OSU 19, CU 6

197: Merrill, Oklahoma State over Hanning, Cornell by decision - OSU 22, CU 6

285: Doucet, Oklahoma State over Davis, Cornell by decision - OSU 25, CU 6

Milani and Ferrera are tougher than a lot of people might realize, thus, I'm assuming they will have close bouts against their All-American opponents. 

I think 141 is a toss-up, so I'm leaning Saunders based on experience. I also see Swiderski bouncing back after his loss to Valencia, but it's no sure thing, and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Joy takes this bout. 

Robideau's major of All-American Daniel Cardenas in his first collegiate bout was an eye-opener, and I think he bonuses in his second. I think Lockett wins another close one in his second collegiate bout before Ruiz finally gets another Cornell win, though the margin here is very thin.

Ryder has the potential to run up the score on Hansen, as evidenced by his majoring of All-American Jaxon Smith at the All-Star Classic, however, Hansen recently held #7 Dylan Fishback to a regular decision, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt here, also because Ryder was held to a 4-2 decision against unranked Abe Wojcikiewicz (no disrespect to Abe). 

I'm sticking to regular decisions for the next two weights, but I would not be surprised if they were bonus wins. Unfortunately for my Cornell friends, this could get ugly for the Big Red. Not that it necessarily will, but this does feel like a match where David Taylor's Cowboys let loose and starts rolling that boulder downhill with the team's eyes zeroed in on winning that national title and collecting that $200K.