Sudden Scare: Cowboys Cope with Untimely Injuries

1. Injury Shockwave at Gallagher-Iba Arena

An ambient Gallagher-Iba Arena shifted to complete silence in seconds. The guttural screams of pain could be heard from the upper decks. An unintentional, legal wrestling move caused Travis Wittlake, OSU’s 165-pounder, to immediately feel the effects of a left knee injury Sunday afternoon.1

2. A Season in Flux

The sudden shift in tone represents a situation parallel to OSU’s season. A dominating first semester brought excitement and a roster fully capable of a national championship. A 10-0 first semester record ensured the Cowboys’ legitimacy. Two months later, the state of the team is different. A sharp decline.

3. Duals and Decline

Duals weren’t the only thing OSU (13-4 overall, 6-3 Big 12) was losing. It wasn’t only a strength of schedule matter either. A mix of temporary and season-ending injuries piled up. Teams figured the Cowboys out. OSU enters the Big 12 Tournament next week ranked No. 15, the program’s worst spot since February 2009.

4. The Injury Saga Begins

It all started on Jan. 24. AJ Ferrari, the team’s uber-positive, seemingly invincible star escaped a brush with death in a car accident. In that moment, the focus shifted beyond wrestling. With Ferrari out for the season, it was up to remaining pieces to perform.

Then, Wyatt Sheets, OSU’s 157-pound starter, sustained a rib injury Sunday, but Smith said he will return in several days. As for Wittlake? “We’ll find out a little bit more in the future,” Smith said.

5. Navigating Through Adversity

Even with the crumbling health, focus must be on the future. “You just learn to move past them quickly,” Smith said after Sunday’s dual without Sheets and Wittlake. “If you sit around and mope and pout and talk about what you don’t have, you’re gonna find out that you have nothing.

I think that put a little pressure on your team when you realize you got two more guys out of your lineup.”

6. Looking Ahead: The Postseason Perspective

With the postseason nearing, Smith can glance at his roster and see his dependable regulars. Four returning All-Americans for the stretch run, Sheets, Daton Fix, Dakota Geer, and Wittlake. Kaden Gfeller, OSU’s 149-pounder, seeks his second Big 12 title. Despite a bye week, the Cowboys are not resting. An intense week of improvement is needed.

7. Facing Challenges Head-On

Teams like Missouri and Iowa State — starving for a Big 12 title, are chasing the Cowboys. In March, only the toughest survive. “You don’t sit back, and you don’t wait,” Smith said. “You’re not going to tiptoe around them.

It’s gonna take hard work in the next two weeks. Nothing that we haven’t been doing but it’s going to be hard work. You don’t tiptoe and worry about petting people right now. It takes tough, tough people right now.”

8. The Nature of the Sport: From Struggles to Success

In the next few weeks, contenders can quickly dissolve into pretenders. And struggles can morph into success. It’s the nature of the sport’s structure.

Peak for three days and glorious moments can occur. “Coach telling us with these guys out, it just puts more pressure on us to perform but that’s a good thing,” Gfeller said. “You want that pressure. You want as many pressure situations as you can to get you ready for the big show.”

9. Confidence Amidst Injuries

Despite the injuries, the Cowboys remain confident in the process. “We don’t go to practice six times a week and sometimes twice a day to go out there and not give full effort,” Fix said after OSU’s loss to Iowa. “Just take more risk. I’m sure everyone is giving full effort but it’s not easy to take risk.”

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Travis Wittlake Injury: Did He Have An Accident?

The wrestler accidentally suffered two leg injuries, keeping him away from the wrestling ground for a while.2

Wittlake reportedly sustained an ankle injury while participating in Junior National Duals in late June last season.

Left Knee Injury during a Match

Furthermore, during the match, a wrestling move immediately made Travis Wittlake, OSU’s 165-pounder, feel the effects of his left knee injury.

Persistent Wrestling and Reinjury

However, he persisted in wrestling for a few more matches but suffered a reinjury in the Bucknell dual, compelling him to miss the final dual of the regular season. It even hindered his qualification for the NCAA event for a third consecutive year.

Tavis Wittlake All American Pro-Wrestler

Now, he is heading back to tournaments, believing he still needs to prove himself.

Reflecting on the Injury Experience

Travis recalled the injury as a different situation, emphasizing that he had never been in that state before. He said, “That one, it was it was hard to watch. It was weird just to not have any pressure on you, just be able to watch the tournament with really no emotional attachment because you weren’t in it. So that was something that I had to get through.”

Travis Wittlake Returns Home for Key Match in Oregon

A Long-Awaited Return to Oregon

Not since his senior year of high school in 2018 has Travis Wittlake set foot on a wrestling mat in his home state of Oregon. Hailing from Coos Bay, Wittlake is back after five years, ready to represent the Oklahoma State wrestling team in a crucial match against Oregon State in Corvallis.3

 Excitement Builds for Homecoming Match

Wittlake, the Cowboys’ 13th-ranked redshirt senior with a commendable 9-1 record in the 184-pound weight class, expresses his enthusiasm about returning to Oregon. Anticipation grows as Wittlake looks forward to showcasing his skills before a home crowd.

Facing a Worthy Opponent – Wittlake vs. Munoz

 Test of Skill and Strength

The upcoming match holds significance for Wittlake as he prepares to face off against the formidable No. 11 Trey Munoz, boasting a 15-3 record this season. Wittlake sees this as a chance to prove himself in his new weight class, acknowledging Munoz’s success and expressing his eagerness for the challenge.

 Setting the Stage for Personal Triumph

Wittlake views Munoz as a competitor he’d like to defeat to assert his capabilities in the 184-pound weight class. This match provides an opportunity for Wittlake to demonstrate his prowess and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in his new weight category.

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Wittlake’s Transition to a Higher Weight Class

 Overcoming Challenges

Having secured a victory at the Southern Scuffle, Wittlake reflects on his journey wrestling two weight classes higher than his previous norm. The decision to move up to the 184-pound class stemmed from injuries that disrupted his performance at 165 pounds last season.4

 Coach’s Insight on the Transition

Coach John Smith validates the move, asserting that Wittlake’s body was resisting the efforts to stay at 165 pounds. Wittlake’s health this season reinforces the coach’s belief, highlighting the benefits of the transition in terms of weight management and overall well-being.

A Weight Advantage and Improved Performance

 The Benefits of Wrestling at 184 Pounds

Wittlake shares his perspective on the advantages of competing in the 184-pound weight class. Freed from extensive weight cuts, he enjoys the ability to eat, stay hydrated, and maintain strength throughout the season. This approach allows him to lift more and reduce the risk of injury.

Facing Munoz with Oklahoma State Wrestling Legacy in the Background

As Wittlake gears up to wrestle against Mark Munoz’s son, Trey Munoz, the unique angle adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match. Coach John Smith acknowledges this as a rare instance of competing against the son of one of his former wrestlers, creating an added level of anticipation.

 Navigating Pressure and Staying Focused

Returning to his home state and facing a noteworthy opponent, Wittlake acknowledges potential pressure but emphasizes the constant demands of college wrestling. He remains focused on the task at hand – to perform, have fun, and deliver a compelling match for his home crowd on Sunday.

Cowboys Geared Up for National Tournament

Travis Wittlake’s Redemption Journey

Travis Wittlake reflects on a challenging experience at the national wrestling tournament a year ago, where an injury prevented him from qualifying. Now, as an Oklahoma State All-American, he heads back to the tournament in Tulsa with a determination to prove himself and reclaim his status as a sophomore.

 A Different Weight Class Challenge

Wittlake aims to secure All-American status but faces the hurdle of being seeded just outside the top eight, according to the NCAA committee. Unfazed by his No. 10 seeding, Wittlake focuses on his performance rather than the bracket, emphasizing the importance of proving himself on the mat.

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 Young’s Resilience and Readiness

Carter Young Overcomes Injury Scare

Former Stillwater High wrestler Carter Young faces a potential setback with a leg injury during the Big 12 Conference tournament. However, Cowboy wrestling coach John Smith reassures that Young’s injury won’t hinder his participation in the national tournament, highlighting Young’s maturity and resilience in the face of adversity.

Grown-Up Moments for Young

Smith sheds light on Young’s growth and maturity, suggesting that the injury scare serves as a significant wake-up call. Despite dealing with a similar injury severity in the past, Young’s attitude and commitment to competing in the national tournament remain steadfast, showcasing his development as a wrestler.

 Reece Witcraft’s Underdog Story

 Sacrifices for the Team

125-pounder Reece Witcraft, initially the backup to Daton Fix at 133 pounds, steps up late in the season for the team after Trevor Mastrogiovanni’s injury. Despite limited matches to his name, Witcraft secures an automatic qualifier bid from the Big 12 tournament, but the selection committee’s decision to seed him 31st raises eyebrows.

 Underrated Potential of Reece Witcraft

Coach Smith expresses surprise at the perceived slights for several wrestlers, notably Reece Witcraft. Despite being awarded the 31 seed, Wittlake highlights Witcraft’s dangerous and unpredictable style, suggesting that if he finds his stride in the NCAA Tournament, he could make a significant impact.

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