Arkansas Wrestle (All images via lrtrojans.com)
LITTLE ROCK – The #16 Trojan wrestling team looks to defend a perfect home dual season this Saturday afternoon, welcoming the #2 Oklahoma State Cowboys to the Jack Stephens Center for a 3 p.m. thriller as one of the top matches in the country this weekend. Attending Little Rock fans are asked to wear white for the final home match of the season, while those tuning in from afar can watch all the action live on UFC Fight Pass.
History
The Trojans last faced the Cowboys in 2022, falling 6-35 in front of a record-breaking wrestling crowd here in Little Rock. At the time, Oklahoma State was #4 in the nation, and Little Rock had yet to break into the national rankings. Current team members Joseph Bianchi and Triston Wills each claimed victories by decision over their respective foes, and notably each appear in the probables for this weekend as well. Like last time, every single starter for Oklahoma State is featured in the individual rankings. Unlike last time, the Trojans are now the #16 team in the nation and boast a handful of ranked starters as well as a few dark horses that could shake up the match.
It’ll be somewhat of a reunion and yet simultaneously a rivalry match in The Rock, as Trojan coaches Neil Erisman, Albert White and Austin Schafer are all alumni of the storied program. Read more about head coach Neil Erisman‘s thoughts on the upcoming dual here.
Last Time Out
The Little Rock wrestling team is on a 5-match win streak after taking out conference foes Oregon State at home two weekends ago, winning 29-14. The Trojans boast a program record win percentage in duals this season, posting a 14-2 mark – already on track to best last season’s 15-5 record. While keeping that streak alive may be a challenge, especially the team’s unbeaten home record since November 2023, it’s certainly a possibility with all the right pieces in play against the Cowboys tomorrow. While Trojans were blanked by the #1 team in the country earlier this year, expect a tighter dual tomorrow. Regardless of outcome, it will be a great test for Little Rock as the dual season starts coming to a close, especially since none of the remaining dual opponents on the schedule next week are currently nationally ranked.
Probables
#16 Little Rock
125: Jayden Carson (3-7) OR Tyson Roach (5-5)
133: #8 Nasir Bailey (13-3)
141: Brennan Van Hoecke (10-5) OR Cole Minnick (0-3)
149: #12 Jordan Williams (15-3)
157: #14 Matty Bianchi (15-4)
165: #33 Joseph Bianchi (8-4)
174: Tyler Brennan (11-7)
184: #17 Brock DelSignore (11-4) OR Triston Wills (9-6)
197: #5 Stephen Little (14-1)
285: Bransen Britten (7-7) OR KJ Miley (5-15)
#2 Oklahoma State
125: #4 Troy Spratley (15-3)
133: #22 Reece Witcraft (10-3) OR Cael Hughes (8-1)
141: #5 Tagen Jamison (15-3)
149: #17 Carter Young (10-8) OR Cutter Sheets (15-9)
157: #12 Caleb Fish (16-5)
165: #6 Cameron Amine (12-4)
174: #3 Dean Hamiti Jr. (17-0)
184: #3 Dustin Plott (14-2)
197: #7 Luke Surber (18-1)
285: #3 Wyatt Hendrickson (16-0)
*Rankings via InterMat
For the latest information on Little Rock Wrestling, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWRES on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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