TOM Article

Pictured: A look inside the 2021 Big 12 Wrestling Championships. Photo by Brett Rojo / The Big 12 Conference.  Conference duals are heating up despite the January weather, especially in the Big 12. This weekend features six duals between two Big 12 members. But before that action starts, here are some storylines in the Big 12 to watch for this weekend. 

Week of Tests for Mizzou

Missouri's undefeated Big 12 record will be tested this week with two duals against ranked conference opponents in No. 20 Oklahoma and No. 23 South Dakota State, respectively.  On Thursday night in Norman, the No. 9 Tigers' week started with a win against OU. The Sooners tied the dual 14-14 after seven bouts, but Mizzou won the last three matches to avoid an upset, 23-14. Mizzou will return home on Saturday to host SDSU. The Jackrabbits have slowly been climbing the rankings after three straight wins. SDSU's only loss so far this season was to now-No. 16 Minnesota 27-13 on Nov. 28 on the road.  Mizzou-SDSU will feature one of the best Big 12 bouts of the weekend when No. 10 Cade DeVos of SDSU and No. 11 Peyton Mocco of Mizzou face off. The Tigers' 197-pound standout Rocky Elam, ranked fifth, could also be challenged by Tanner Sloan in the dual. 

LaMont and Teske Highlight UVU-UNI 

If Utah Valley and Northern Iowa follow the traditional schedule, beginning at 125 pounds, the dual could start with its main event.  The dual will be headlined by a Big 12 final rematch between UVU's Taylor LaMont, ranked 16th, and Brody Teske, ranked 13th, of UNI. Teske won the Big 12 title as a freshman last year with a 9-7 decision over LaMont. The two haven't met since.  LaMont is coming off his first loss of the season on Jan. 2-- a 5-3 decision to No. 15 Brandon Kaylor of Oregon State. The match was only his third of the season. Teske is 6-2 with a win over one ranked opponent. 

OSU-Lehigh Will Feature 4 Ranked Matchups 

Although Oklahoma State's weekend schedule doesn't feature a Big 12 opponent, the No. 4 Cowboys could still get a challenge against No. 15 Lehigh.  Sunday's dual at Gallagher-Iba Arena will feature four matches between wrestlers ranked according to TOM at their respective weights. The closest match will probably come at 157 pounds between No. 13 Wyatt Sheets of OSU and Lehigh's Josh Humphreys, ranked 10th.  125: No. 6 Trevor Mastrogiovanni (OSU) vs. No. 19 Jaret Lane 133: No. 2 Daton Fix (OSU) vs. No. 18 Malyke Hines 149: No. 15 Kaden Gfeller (OSU) vs. No. 18 Manzona Bryant 157: No. 13 Wyatt Sheets (OSU) vs. No. 10 Josh Humphreys

Big 12 Duals This Week

Thursday No. 9 Missouri 23, No. 20 Oklahoma 14 Friday  Oregon State at Northern Colorado Utah Valley at Northern Iowa Saturday  No. 23 South Dakota State at No. 9 Missouri Oregon State at Wyoming North Dakota State at Northern Iowa Sunday Utah Valley at No. 10 Iowa State No. 20 Oklahoma at Northern Illinois No. 23 South Dakota State at SIU Edwardsville  North Dakota State at No. 10 Iowa State Lehigh at No. 4 Oklahoma State

Top Projected Matches

125: No. 13 Brody Teske (UNI) vs. No. 16 Taylor LaMont (UVU) 133: No. 2 Daton Fix (OSU) vs. No. 18 Malyke Hines (LEH) 141: No. 7 Clay Carlson (SDSU) vs. No. 11 Allan Hart (Mizzou) 149: No. 15 Kaden Gfeller (OSU) vs. No. 18 Manzona Bryant (LEH 157: No. 13 Wyatt Sheets (OSU) vs. No. 10 Josh Humphreys (LEH) 165: No. 2 Keegan O'Toole (MIZZOU) vs. Tanner Cook (SDSU) 174: No. 10 Cade DeVos (SDSU) vs. No. 11 Peyton Mocco (MIZZOU) 184: No. 4 Parker Keckeisen (UNI) vs. Jacob Armstrong (UVU) 197: No. 5 Rocky Elam (MIZZOU) vs. Tanner Sloan (SDSU) 285: No. 10 Gary Traub (ORST) vs. No. 16 Brian Andrews (WYO) Dekota Gregory (@dekotagregory) with be assisting  The Open Mat as our Big 12 / Oklahoma State correspondent. 

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