KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Oklahoma senior Stephen Buchanan earned All-America status Friday night at the 2024 NCAA DI Wrestling Championships to become the 278th wrestler in OU history to achieve the feat, and first since Jake Woodley accomplished it in 2021.
Additionally, the last seven Oklahoma coaches have now produced at least one All-American in their first season in Norman, a streak that dates back to 1947.
After getting pinned in the first period by No. 1 Aaron Brooks (Penn State) in the 197-pound quarterfinals, Buchanan headed to the consolation blood round where he used two key escapes to defeat John Poznanski of Rutgers, 2-1 in tiebreakers. With his victory, Buchanan secured All-America honors for the third time in his career as one of the final eight wrestlers left in his weight class.
The Wyoming transfer added another win on the night, knocking off Lehigh's No. 4 Michael Beard in a 12-1 major decision. Buchanan used three takedowns, a pair of escapes and riding time to secure the win in dominant fashion.
Buchanan is set for a familiar meeting with No. 3 Tanner Sloan (North Dakota State) in tomorrow's consolation semifinal. The winner of that match will wrestle in the third-place bout, while the loser will battle for fifth.
Elsewhere in the tournament, No. 21 Willie McDougald's run came to an end in the second consolation round of the 149-pound bracket after dropping a 4-3 decision to No. 11 Quinn Kinner of Rider.
Josh Heindselman (285) also concluded his season. In the second consolation round, the redshirt senior picked up a 4-2 win against Pittsburgh's No. 21 Dayton Pitzer before topping Bucknell's No. 19 Dorian Crosby by the same score in the third round. In the blood round, the heavyweight was defeated by Ohio State's No. 9 Nick Feldman in sudden-victory, 8-5. Heindselman finished the season with 24 victories and a fourth place finish at the Big 12 tournament.
Buchanan is set to begin the final day of competition tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT. All matches will be available on ESPNU. Additionally, ESPN+ will offer individual feeds of each mat.
Results
Willie McDougald – 149
Champ. Round 1 - Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) 18-11 won by decision over Ethen Miller (Maryland) 18-9 (Dec 5-4)
Champ. Round 2 - Ty Watters (West Virginia) 29-5 won by major decision over Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) 18-11 (MD 9-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Quinn Kinner (Rider) 21-11 won by decision over Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) 18-11 (Dec 4-3)
Stephen Buchanan – 197
Champ. Round 1 - Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) 28-3 won by tech fall over Benjamin Smith (Cleveland State) 23-7 (TF-1.5 5:16 (18-1))
Champ. Round 2 - Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) 28-3 won by major decision over Stephen Little (Little Rock) 25-4 (MD 14-3)
Quarterfinal - Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 21-0 won by fall over Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) 28-3 (Fall 2:45)
Cons. Round 4 - Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) 28-3 won in tie breaker - 1 over John Poznanski (Rutgers) 18-6 (TB-1 2-1)
Cons. Round 5 - Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) 28-3 won by major decision over Michael Beard (Lehigh) 29-3 (MD 12-1)
Josh Heindselman – 285
Champ. Round 1 - Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma) 25-8 won by decision over Matthew Cover (Princeton) 18-11 (Dec 4-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Zach Elam (Missouri) 29-3 won by decision over Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma) 25-8 (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma) 25-8 won by decision over Dayton Pitzer (Pittsburgh) 12-7 (Dec 4-2)
Cons. Round 3 - Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma) 25-8 won by decision over Dorian Crosby (Bucknell) 26-11 (Dec 4-2)
Cons. Round 4 - Nick Feldman (Ohio State) 28-6 won in sudden victory - 1 over Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma) 25-8 (SV-1 8-5)
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