OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University men's wrestling competes in back-to-back events this weekend, competing in Carl Albert's Viking Open on Saturday before hosting Tarleton State on Sunday.
 
The tournament begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday with the Stars making their home debut at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
 
OCU Notebook
Wrestler of the Week: Oklahoma City's Tate Picklo was the first NAIA and Sooner Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week. He won the Elite Bracket at the Falcon Open in Wichita, Kan. The 174-pounder recorded three wins by tech fall and one by decision to go 4-0 on the day. Picklo, previously ranked eighth in the nation at 174, posted wins against several ranked opponents. He defeated No. 7 Leonardo Galasso of Arizona Christian by tech fall (20-5), and No. 3 Daniil Gorshkov of Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) in an 11-6 decision. He also trumped Michael Groper of Grand View (Iowa) and Teagan Foreman of Dakota Wesleyan (S.D), both by tech fall. 
 
New Rankings: Oklahoma City moved up to No. 7 in the NAIA men's wrestling rankings and has 11 wrestlers ranked. Tate Picklo is ranked third at the 174-pound level. John Wiley is ranked sixth and Jake Moon 10^th at 157 pounds. Kaden Fetterolf earned the No. 6 ranking at 149 pounds with Kolby Depron coming in at No. 13. Jordan Lomeli is the No. 6 wrestler in 165 pound and Hayden Brown is 13^th. Bryce Milster is 11^th and Cole Olguin 24^th at 184 pounds. At 125 pounds, Cash Donnell is ranked 17^th and Hayden Wright 23^rd.
 
The Field in Poteau: Ten teams compete in the Viking Open. Joining OCU are four-year colleges Central Baptist, Ouachita Baptist, Ozarks (Ark.) and Williams Baptist. Along with host Carl Albert there are two junior colleges – Murray State and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Also wrestling are club teams from Tarleton State and Texas A&M.
 
Stars at Home: OCU was 1-1 at home last season and the Stars are 10-2 in the Freede Center in the post-Covid era.
 
Five on the Floor in Poteau: Oklahoma City sends five wrestlers to Poteau on Saturday: Jace Province at 141, Dax Lopez at 149, Jake Moon at 157, Wes Madden at 165 and Alex Wilson at 174. It is officially Jake Moon's season debut, though he competed unattached in the season opener. Province was fourth in the amateur 141 class last weekend, going 4-1. Lopez was 2-2 at 149, Madden (165) and Wilson (174) both were 1-2.
 
Previously on the Mats: Oklahoma City opened men's wrestling season with four champions at the Falcon Open last weekend. Kaden Fetterolf, John Wiley and Tate Picklo each won their weight class in the elite competition and Kaden Wallace picked up a first-place finish in the amateur ranks. Additionally, Jordan Lomeli placed third and Hayden Brown fourth in the elite level with Jace Province taking fourth in his weight class in the amateur bracket.