The BOK Center will be buzzing March 6-7 as some of the nation's top wrestlers head to Tulsa for the 2026 Big 12 Wrestling Championships. Before action gets underway, check out our complete preview of all ten weights along with predictions for the top eight finishers.

2025 Big 12 Championship Team Scores

1) Oklahoma State (153.5) 2) Northern Iowa (149.5) 3) South Dakota State (110) 4) Iowa State (107.5) 5) Northern Colorado (79.5) 6) West Virginia (77.5) 7) Oklahoma (72.5) 8) Missouri (65.5) 9) North Dakota State (58.5) 10) Wyoming (58) 11) Arizona State (43) 12) Utah Valley (21.5) 13) California Baptist (15) 14) Air Force (11.5)

2026 Big 12 Wrestling Championship Brackets

The Big 12 Conference released pdf brackets earlier this week. Once action begins, follow all the results in real time with interactive brackets on FloWrestling here.

125 lbs - 5 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #6 Troy Spratley, OK State

2) #10 Stevo Poulin, Iowa State

3) #24 Brady Roark, SD State

4) #11 Jett Strickenberger, West Virginia

5) #25 Conrad Hendriksen, Oklahoma

6) #23 Ezekiel Witt, ND State

7) #18 Trever Anderson, UNI

8) #31 Tucker Owens, Air Force

9) Ane'e Vigil, Arizona State

10) #33 Bridger Ricks, Utah Valley

11) #19 Mack Mauger, Missouri

12) Sefton Douglass, Wyoming

13) Cooper Shore, California Baptist

14) Bryson Valdez, N. Colorado

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Jett Strickenberger (West Virginia) 2) Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) 3) Richard Figueroa (Arizona State) 4) Antonio Lorenzo (Oklahoma) 5) Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado) 6) Tristan Dougherty (Northern Colorado) 7) Trever Anderson (Northern Iowa) 8) Tanner Jordan (South Dakota State)

Returning NCAA finalist Troy Spratley will be the favorite this weekend in Tulsa, but not by a wide margin. He enters a field that includes ten nationally ranked wrestlers including Iowa State All-American Stevo Poulin and last year's Big 12 champ Jett Strickenberger of West Virginia. Strickenberger used an overtime takedown to defeat Spratley in last year's final. The two are 2-2 in their careers.

The depth of this weight will make for highly competitive and important consolation matches. Only five wrestlers will automatically qualify for NCAAs out of this field that has ten ranked in the top 33 in the country. Keep an eye on both sides of this bracket.

Prediction: 1) Spratley 2) Poulin 3) Strickenberger 4) Witt 5) Anderson 6) Hendriksen 7) Roark 8) Owens

133 lbs - 8 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #6 Jax Forrest, OK State

2) #4 Evan Frost, Iowa State

3) #5 Kyler Larkin, Arizona State

4) #15 Gunner Andrick, West Virginia

5) #11 Dominick Serrano, N. Colorado

6) #19 Julian Farber, UNI

7) #26 Gage Walker, Missouri

8) #27 Luke Willochell, Wyoming

9) Richard Murillo, California Baptist

10) Carter Schmidt, Oklahoma

11) Geronimo Rivera, Utah Valley

12) #30 Cale Seaton, SD State

13) #33 Tristan Daugherty, ND State

14) Gavin Caprella, Air Force

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Dominic Serrano (Northern Colorado) 2) Kyle Burwick (North Dakota State) 3) Julian Farber (Northern Iowa) 4) Kade Moore (Missouri) 5) Derrick Cardinal (South Dakota State) 6) Hunter Leake (California Baptist) 7) Evan Frost (Iowa State) 8) Cleveland Belton (Oklahoma)

All eyes will be on #6 Jax Forrest this weekend as the freshman phenom will look to win his first conference crown. Forrest was famously plucked from the Bishop McCort hallways mid-season and has now established himself as a bonafide NCAA title contender this year. Forrest could have been competing alongside his high school teammates at the PIAA State Championships this weekend, but instead, he's writing a new chapter in the wrestling history books.

To win a Big 12 title, Forrest may need to navigate four nationally ranked opponents. He'll start his tournament with #30 Cale Seaton then could see #8 Luke Willochell in the quarterfinals and 2025 Big 12 champ #11 Dom Serrano in the semis. His most likely finals opponent is Kyler Larkin who will take over the #2 seed now that previous #2 seed Evan Frost has withdrawn from competition.

Prediction: 1) Forrest 2) Larkin 3) Serrano 4) Andrick 5) Farber 6) Walker 7) Willochell 8) Seaton

141 lbs - 7 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #2 Sergio Vega, OK State

2) #4 Anthony Echemendia, Iowa State

3) #19 Haiden Drury, Utah Valley

4) #24 Tyler Wells, Oklahoma

5) #22 Pierson Manville, Arizona State

6) #30 Carter Nogle, Air Force

7) #31 Jesse Vasquez, California Baptist

8) Jordan Titus, West Virginia

9) #16 Julian Tagg, SD State

10) Easton Hilton, Missouri

11) Max Brady, UNI

12) David Saenz, Wyoming

13) Michael Olson, ND State

14) KJ Evans, N. Colorado

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Cael Happel (Northern Iowa) 2) Tagen Jamison (Oklahoma State) 3) Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado) 4) Jacob Frost (Iowa State) 5) Julian Tagg (South Dakota State) 6) Jordan Titus (West Virginia) 7) Mosha Schwartz (Oklahoma) 8) Cole Brooks (Wyoming)

Oklahoma State undefeated true freshman Sergio Vega and Iowa State All-American Anthony Echemendia appear to be on a collision course for the Big 12 finals. Their meeting last month in Stillwater was highly competitive with multiple close calls. Ultimately, Vega earned the only takedown in the match, but the performance from both wrestlers left plenty of intrigue for what feels like an inevitable rematch.

The top seven seeded wrestlers at this weight are all nationally ranked and could wind up taking the seven automatic NCAA qualification spots, but 9 seed #16 Julian Tagg of South Dakota State will look to shake that up. Tagg was 5th at this tournament a year ago. Earlier this season, he knocked off Minnesota All-American Vance Vombaur to help the Jackrabbits knock off Minnesota for the first time in 51 years.

Prediction: 1) Vega 2) Echemendia 3) Tagg 4) Drury 5) Manville 6) Wells 7) Nogle 8) Vasquez

149 lbs - 5 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #7 Casey Swiderski, OK State

2) #8 Jacob Frost, Iowa State

3) #15 David Evans, Utah Valley

4) #21 Max Petersen, ND State

5) #19 Josh Edmond, Missouri

6) #16 Caleb Rathjen, UNI

7) Paul Kelly, California Baptist

8) #26 Gabe Willochell, Wyoming

9) #20 Alek Martin, SD State

10) Hunter Hollingsworth, Oklahoma

11) Emilio Trujillo-Deen, N. Colorado

12) Bryce Shelton, Air Force

13) Willie McDougald, West Virginia

14) Benji Alanis, Arizona State

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Paniro Johnson (Iowa State) 2) Colin Realbuto (Northern Iowa) 3) Gavin Drexler (North Dakota State) 4) Teague Travis (Oklahoma State) 5) Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) 6) Avery Allen (South Dakota State) 7) Sam Hillegas (West Virginia) 8) Gabe Willochell (Wyoming)

Former teammates Casey Swiderski and Jacob Frost occupy the top two spots at 149 lbs. They had a tight contest in February when they met in the dual with Swiderski earning the 4-2 decision. Swiderski hasn't competed since February 1 when the two met.

Frost and Swiderski will have to navigate challenging paths. In total, this bracket has eight nationally ranked wrestlers who will be vying for just 5 automatic qualification spots. Ranked wrestlers on Swiderski's side include #19 Josh Edmond, #20 Alek Martin, #21 Max Petersen, and #26 Willochell. Frost's side of the bracket includes #15 David Evans and #16 Caleb Rathjen.

Prediction: 1) Casey Swiderski 2) Jacob Frost 3) David Evans 4) Caleb Rathjen 5) Josh Edmond 6) Alek Martin 7) Max Petersen 8) Gabe Willochell

157 lbs - 5 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #5 Kaleb Larkin, Arizona State

2) #6 Landon Robideau, OK State

3) #7 Vincent Zerban, Iowa State

4) #8 Ty Watters, West Virginia

5) #17 Teague Travis, Missouri

6) Gavin Drexler, ND State

7) #22 Cael Swensen, SD State

8) Jared Hill, Wyoming

9) Drayden Morton, California Baptist

10) Daishun Powe, N. Colorado

11) Mark Takara, Utah Valley

12) Layton Schneider, Oklahoma

13) RJ Weston, UNI

14) Lincoln Gregersen, Air Force

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Vinny Zerban (Northern Colorado) 2) Cobe Siebrecht (South Dakota State) 3) Ryder Downey (Northern Iowa) 4) Caleb Fish (Oklahoma State) 5) Jared Hill (Wyoming) 6) Cody Chittum (Iowa State) 7) James Conway (Missouri) 8) Caleb Dowling (West Virginia)

The entertainment value in the 157 lbs bracket exceeds any other Big 12 weight. Kaleb Larkin, Landon Robideau, Vinny Zerban, and Ty Watters are all ranked in the top eight in the country, and they all have styles that tend to create wild matches. If seeds hold, Larkin and Waters will meet in the semifinals. Larkin won their first meeting 4-2 in January.

The second semi according to seeds would be between last year's champion #7 Zerban and #6 Robideau. Their first meeting was a 4-1 decision for Robideau. Other ranked wrestlers in this weight include former Oklahoma State Cowboy and current Missouri Tiger #17 Teague Travis and #22 Cael Swensen of SDSU. 2025 All-American 

Prediction: 1) Landon Robideau 2) Ty Watters 3) Kaleb Larkin 4) Vinny Zerban 5) Teague Travis 6) Cael Swensen 7) Gavin Drexler 8) Jared Hill

165 lbs - 4 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #4 LaDarion Lockett, OK State

2) #6 Ryder Downey, UNI

3) #10 Nicco Ruiz, Arizona State

4) #12 Maxx Mayfield, Missouri

5) #13 Connor Euton, Iowa State

6) Gabriel Schumm, California Baptist

7) Sloan Swan, Wyoming

8) #33 Marcus Espinoza-Owens, SD State

9) Zyon Trujillo, Utah Valley

10) Shawn Taylor, Wyoming

11) Killian Schultz, N. Colorado

12) #32 Peyten Kellar, Oklahoma

13) Logan Fowler, Air Force

14) Boeden Greenley, ND State

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Peyton Hall (West Virginia) 2) Cam Steed (Missouri) 3) Terrell Barraclough (Utah Valley) 4) Aiden Riggins (Iowa State) 5) Cam Amine (Oklahoma State) 6) Nicco Ruiz (Arizona State) 7) Jack Thomsen (Northern Iowa) 8) Clayton Ulrey (Northern Colorado)

Oklahoma State true freshman LaDarion Lockett and Northern Iowa's Ryder Downey could collide in the Big 12 finals in a rematch of one of Lockett's toughest tests this season. Lockett needed a late takedown with nearfall to narrowly defeat Downey. Lockett proved that he's a gamer, but Downey proved that he has t he goods to finish leg attacks on Oklahoma State's young star.

Missouri's Maxx Mayfield and Iowa State's Connor Euton will battle for a chance to unseat Lockett while ASU's Nicco Ruiz is a top ten wrestler who will look to take out Downey.

Prediction: 1) LaDarion Lockett 2) Ryder Downey 3) Nicco Ruiz 4) Maxx Mayfield 5) Connor Euton 6) Marcus Espinoza-Oens 7) Sloan Swan 8) Gabriel Schumm

174 lbs - 7 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #6 Alex Facundo, OK State

2) #9 Carter Schubert, Oklahoma

3) #12 MJ Gaitan, Iowa State

4) #14 Jared Simma, UNI

5) #15 Moses Espinoza-Owens, SD State

6) #10 Cam Steed, Missouri

7) #19 Brody Conley, West Virginia

8) Cael Valencia, Arizona State

9) Riley Davis, Wyoming

10) Max Magayna, ND State

11) Murphy Menke, N. Colorado

12) Mason Espinoza, California Baptist

13) Hudson Rogers, Utah Valley

14) Gunner Cramblett, Air Force

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) 2) Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) 3) MJ Gaitan (Iowa State) 4) Gaven Sax (Oklahoma) 5) Cade DeVos (South Dakota State) 6) Jared Simma (Northern Iowa) 7) Devin Wasley (North Dakota State) 8) Aydin Rix-McElhinney (Northern Colorado)

The only All-American in this bracket is Missouris' Cam Steed who is seeded 6th. He is one of seven nationally ranked wrestlers competing in a bracket with seven automatic qualifier spots. Steed only has 16 matches this season against D1 competition, but he's still dangerous and capable of upsetting the apple cart in terms of seeds.

Steed sits on the bottom half of the bracket with Espinoza-Owens , Conley, and Schubert. If he can return to the form he found a year ago at 165 lbs, he will likely make the final.

Top-seeded Alex Facundo could have to navigate a quarterfinal with Cael Valencia who he defeated narrowly at Who's Number One in the quarterfinals then either #12 Gaitan or #14 Simma in the semis.

Prediction: 1) Facundo 2) Schubert 3) Steed 4) Gaitan 5) Simma 6) Espinoza-Owens 7) Conley 8) Valencia

184 lbs - 8 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #3 Aeoden Sinclair, Missouri

2) #12 Zack Ryder, OK State

3) #9 Eddie Neitenbach, Wyoming

4) #24 Ian Bush, West Virginia

5) #19 Nick Fox, UNI

6) #10 Brian Soldano, Oklahoma

7) #11 Isaac Dean, Iowa State

8) #33 Aidan Brenot, ND State

9) Brock Fettig, SD State

10) Mahonri Rushton, N. Colorado

11) Shay Addison, Arizona State

12) Caleb Uhlenhopp, Utah Valley

13) Brian Burburjia, Air Force

14) David Alonso, California Baptist

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) 2) Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State) 3) Bennett Berge (South Dakota State) 4) Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) 5) Deanthony Parker Jr. (Oklahoma) 6) Evan Bockman (Iowa State) 7) Aidan Brenot (North Dakota State) 8) Colton Hawks (Missouri)

Since losing to Angelo Ferrari in the first match at the 2025 National Duals Invitational, Aeoden Sinclair has been perfect. He's ranked 3rd in the country, but he's many people's pick to win the whole thing in Cleveland. He will be a big favorite in Tulsa at Big 12s.

Sinclair will face stiff competition this weekend. He will most likely make the final despite needing to win matches over ranked opponents like #33 Aidan Brenot, #24 Ian Bush, and #19 Nick Fox, but then he is likely to face either #9 Eddie Neitenbach or #12 Zack Ryder. Neitenbach has been solid for Wyoming this year. Ryder has looked good for Oklahoma State as well but appears to be dealing with an injury. Big 12s will be a great testing ground for both potential finalists.

Prediction: 1) Aeoden Sinclair 2) Eddie Neitenbach 3) Zack Ryder 4) Brian Soldano 5) Isaac Dean 6) Nick Fox 7) Ian Bush 8) Aidan Brenot

197 lbs - 8 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #2 Rocky Elam, Iowa State

2) #3 Joey Novak, Wyoming

3) #6 Bennett Berge, SD State

4) #5 Cody Merrill, OK State

5) #11 DeAnthony Parker, Oklahoma

6) #12 Evan Bates, Missouri

7) #16 Rune Lawrence, West Virginia

8) #24 Devin Wasley, ND State

9) #33 Colton Hawks, Arizona State

10) #30 Kael Bennie, Utah Valley

11) #31 Karson Tompkins, Air Force

12) John Gunderson, UNI

13) Eli Sheeren, California Baptist

14) Tyler Perry, N. Colorado

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Wyatt Voelker (Northern Iowa) 2) Luke Surber (Oklahoma State) 3) Zach Glazier (South Dakota State) 4) Ian Bush (West Virginia) 5) Joseph Novak (Wyoming) 6) Brian Burburija (Air Force) 7) Nathan Schon (Iowa State) 8) Kael Bennie (Utah Valley)

Four top-six ranked wrestlers sit atop the Big 12 at 197 lbs. All-Americans Rocky Elam and Bennett Berge could meet in the top half semifinal, and All-American Joey Novak could take on Oklahoma State freshman Cody Merrill on the bottom side. 

In total, this bracket includes 11 nationally ranked wrestlers who will compete for just 8 automatic qualifier spots. Many fans may hope to see a rematch between Elam and Merrill, but that is far from guaranteed as both wrestlers will face challenges on their way to a potential final.

Prediction: 1) Elam 2) Merrill 3) Novak 4) Berge 5) Parker 6) Bates 7) Lawrence 8) Wasley

285 lbs - 6 Automatic Qualifiers

1) #1 Yonger Bastida, Iowa State

2) #8 Konner Doucet, OK State

3) #7 Christian Carroll, Wyoming

4) #11 David Szuba, Arizona State

5) #21 Juan Mora, Oklahoma

6) #27 Jack Forbes, Utah Valley

7) #33 Jarrett Stoner, Missouri

8) #28 Adam Ahrendsen, UNI

9) #32 Luke Rasmussen, SD State

10) Rylan Kuhn, Air Force

11) Shilo Jones, ND State

12) Tristan Kemp, California Baptist

13) Brock Kehler, West Virginia

14) Enzo Cappabianca , N. Colorado

2025 Big 12 Podium: 1) Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) 2) Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State) 3) Luke Rasmussen (South Dakota State) 4) Sam Mitchell (Wyoming) 5) Daniel Herrera (Iowa State) 6) Juan Mora (Oklahoma) 7) Lance Runyon (Northern Iowa) 8) Andrew Blackburn-Forst (North Dakota State)

The top seeded heavyweight at Big 12s, Yonger Bastida, is also the top-ranked man in the country. Bastida is many people's pick to win NCAAs at 285 lbs. Despite having ranked wrestlers #11 Szuba, #21 Mora, and #28 Ahrendsen on his half of the bracket, Bastida is a big favorite to make the finals.

On the opposite side, #7 Christian Carroll and #8 Konner Doucet appear poised for a semifinal bout that could have the BOK Center crowd on its feet. Carroll and Doucet may have some familiarity as Carroll was an Oklahoma State Cowboy two teams ago, but they two have never met in NCAA competition. Doucet has been solid for the Cowboys, and Carroll is having the best season of his career.

Prediction: 1) Bastida 2) Carroll 3) Doucet 4) Szuba 5) Mora 6) Forbes 7) Ahrendsen 8) Rasmussen