Team Mentality After 25-6 Win Over No. 22 Oklahoma: ‘Nothing to Lose, Everything to Prove’

Friday night at Hilton Coliseum had it all: a record-setting crowd for the Beauty and the Beast setup with wrestling and gymnastics, and a Cyclone wrestling team that delivered one of its best performances of the season.

No. 13 Iowa State rolled to a 25-6 victory over No. 22 Oklahoma, winning eight of ten matches and proving that this group is dialed in.

“I don’t know if we’ve had the same lineup all year. I don’t think we have but with the lineup that we put together tonight I thought tonight was good,” said head coach Kevin Dresser. “I thought we wrestled hard at all 10 weights.”

Iowa State held strong, giving up only five takedowns during the entire dual.

The night was packed with highlights, but none stood taller than MJ Gaitan’s performance at 174 pounds. Taking on No. 8 Gavin Sax, the 2024 Big 12 Championships runner-up at 174 pounds, Gaitan wrestled a smart match.

“I’m mostly proud of MJ for sticking to the game plan and not being a crazy man out there because Coach St John did a good job of coaching him up and just, you know, forcing him to wrestle really, really smart,” Dresser said. “When he wrestles smart, that MJ guy could go a long ways if he can wrestle with what he’s got. His wrestling IQ needs to get better and tonight was an example of a good wrestling IQ.”

Gaitan is known for his relentless pursuit of pins, always determined to bring down every opponent, no matter how he gets there. This fearless style keeps both fans and Coach Dresser on the edge of their seats. It’s this same drive that inspired Gaitan’s new approach to preparation, a shift that ultimately led to his success.

“I’ve been working and scouting that guy not to go to that crackdown position he likes a lot, obviously, so I’ve been working on that a lot with St. John,” said Gaitan. “And just getting back healthy on the mat was a really big thing too. Our good trainer Tim and all the staff here are amazing, helping me get back out on the mat, which is what I love to do, being back in Hilton for my first debut this year. So it felt really good.”

Some other highlights…

The Frost brothers continued their impressive season, delivering back-to-back victories at 133 and 141 pounds. True freshman Kane Naaktgeboren also had a night to remember, notching his first collegiate dual win.

“He keeps getting better. That was a good win for him,” said Dresser about Riggins. “You know, as he starts to believe in himself, and tonight should be a good reason to believe in himself, but I think he had a good night.”

As the Cyclones prepare for a quick turnaround against No. 3 Oklahoma State on Sunday, the team’s confidence is growing.

“I think our chemistry is coming together,” said Jacob Frost. “We’re growing together as a team. We’re kind of finding our groove as a dual team and a tournament team. I think we’re growing together, and we’re all wrestling for each other now.”

How are the constantly shifting Cyclones preparing for a major team test against the Cowboys?

“We’ve got nothing to lose, got everything to prove,” said Gaitan. “Just having that mindset. That it doesn’t matter. We’re already ranked lower so what do we have to lose? Have no fear,” said Gaitan.

Match-By-Match Results
No. 13 Iowa State 25, No. 22 Oklahoma 6
125:  #29 Antonio Lorenzo (OU) dec. Ethan Perryman (ISU), 5-2
133: #5 Evan Frost (ISU) Maj. Dec. #22 Cleveland Belton (OU), 9-0
141: #13 Jacob Frost (ISU) dec. #19 Mosha Schwartz (OU), 10-4
149: #11 Paniro Johnson (ISU) dec. #13 Willie McDougald (OU), 4-2
157: Kane Naaktgeboren (ISU) dec. Layton Schneider (OU), 8-3
165: Aiden Riggins (ISU) dec. #30 Tate Picklo (OU), 7-3
174: #23 MJ Gaitan (ISU) dec. #8 Gaven Sax (OU), 7-2
184: #12 Evan Bockman (ISU) dec. Eli Cordy (OU), 7-2
197: Nate Schon (ISU) dec. Bradley Hill (OU), 14-7
285: #26 Juan Mora (OU) dec. #23 Daniel Herrera (ISU), 4-2