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Virginia Tech announces dual vs. Oklahoma State for December 19

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•07/22/24•

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@TechSideline on Twitter/Oklahoma State Athletics

Virginia Tech announced it’ll head to Oklahoma State in December for a dual against the Cowboys.

In what could be one of the most anticipated duals of the upcoming season, the Hokies will take on a new-look Oklahoma State squad. OKST hired David Taylor this spring and added a high quality recruiting class plus veteran graduate transfers.

Mark your calendars though because Oklahoma State welcoming Virginia Tech should be a banger of a match!

Utilizing WrestleStat, the projection for the dual as of July is Oklahoma State beating Virginia Tech 26-6. While not great on paper, things change in an instant and that’s why each wrestler toes the line.

A lot of the potential matchups are razor thin on paper. Going into next season, Virginia Tech will be led by 2024 NCAA champion Caleb Henson (149 pounds).

Not only that, All-Americans Lennox Wolak (who transferred from Columbia) and TJ Stewart headline the upperweights at 174 and 184.

On the flip side, Oklahoma State reloaded under new coach David Taylor. The Cowboys added transfers Cam Amine (165), Caleb Fish (165), Dean Hamiti (165/174) and Wyatt Hendrickson (285). Not only that, 2024 NCAA runner-up Dustin Plott (184) returns.

The stars should be out and the arena lights will be out in Gallagher Arena. Perhaps a sold out crowd in December?

David Taylor opens up on taking Oklahoma State job

David Taylor’s departure for Oklahoma State to take over as the wrestling head coach sent shockwaves throughout the sport in the spring.

Essentially, he had to make a decision on the fly following a meeting with the OKST brass at his home in Pennsylvania. The Olympic Gold Medalist and Penn State legend took on his first coaching gig with a seven-figure contract, proving the Cowboys wouldn’t take no for an answer.

It’s hard to picture Taylor repping anyone besides Penn State and the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Which is why is such a difficult decision in the end.

“There were a lot of tough conversations,” Taylor said, via The Athletic. “When I did accept the job, I wasn’t able to call all the people I wish I could’ve called before the news hit, but things move quick. It’s one of the highest-profile jobs in wrestling. … 

“You make a decision like that, and there is a pretty large ripple effect with the decision that I made not only just for my family, but it extends well beyond that. Just processing all those things and the people that it affects, it was a pretty crazy time.”