AMES, Iowa – Injuries, the flu bug and just about everything that could go wrong did, at least for Iowa State.

Heck, even the scheduled public address announcer for Hilton Coliseum had a last minute change.

In the end it was sixth-ranked Oklahoma State beating No. 12 Iowa State, 29-13.

Cowboy rookie 125-pounder Jon Morrison did not make the trip due to the flu. With the late notice OSU could not get anybody down to weight by Sunday afternoon.

The Oklahoma State bus trip north also included an extra body at three weights, not knowing who might be able to suit up by the time the team hit Ames.

The pre-match introductions even started without the visitors.

“In these big dual meets I can’t ever remember forfeiting a match. It makes me ill,” said Smith. “We looked at Ladd Rupp, he thought he could get down, but we thought it best that we don’t break any rules in order to get him down. We tried to fly someone in (Sunday morning).

“It’s that time of year where some things can go wrong. It’s a case of bad luck as far as the injuries go.”

The struggling Cyclones, whipped by No. 10 Oklahoma, 34-7, on Friday night again had to forfeit at 141 pounds. Former All-American Chris Drouin is still battling concussion issues. Add to the issues a Friday night injury to 157-pounder Trent Weatherman.

Sunday’s meet was a far cry from the days of Dr. Harold Nichols and Myron Roderick.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” said Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson. 

Dallas Bailey and Andrew Sorenson had the best bout of the afternoon, a 5-3 decision by the Cyclone junior at 165. At the National Duals, Bailey, a redshirt-freshman, edged Sorenson, 4-3, in an entertaining match. Meeting No. 2 was equally fan-friendly for two periods before Sorenson (12-4) put on a tough third period rideout.

“Sorenson was just a bit tougher in the third period,” said Smith. “Bailey kind of wore down after a very active match. Sorenson is a tough kid, an all-American type of wrestler.”

Top-ranked Jon Reader (26-0) gave Iowa State (6-7) its only other victory – other than the forfeit – beating Mike Benefiel, 11-2.

The rest of the day belonged to OSU (8-2-1).

“Overall, we wrestled pretty well,” said Smith.

Seventh-ranked Jamal Parks (17-2) needed a takedown in the second overtime to outlast Max Mayfield at 149. The win wrapped up the match for OSU, the program’s 999th all-time dual victory.

Neil Erisman (4-3) controlled Nate Carr, Jr., 8-0, at 157.

Blake Rosholt (4-4) scored a pair of third-period takedowns in beating Kyle Simonson, 6-2, at 285 pounds. It was the 210-pound Rosholt’s second victory over a Big 12 heavyweight this season. In December he beat Oklahoma’s Nathan Fernandez with a late reversal.

“What really stands out for me is at heavyweight,” said Smith. “I liked that he stepped up with a win against somebody who is having a nice season.”

Rookie Chris Perry (15-4) got the visitors started with a second-period pin of Cole Shafer at 184 pounds.

All-American Clayton Foster (13-0) remained unbeaten, picking up a tough 3-1 decision over Jerome Ward at 197.

“The frustration comes in when you believe you have the better wrestler,” said Jackson. “We are starting to think that Ward is better at 197. You drill it, you talk about it, you see it on video, clearly explain it… but for him not to take advantage of his opportunities against a very tough guy is disappointing. To not get those connections made is very frustrating. Changes are going to have to be made between now and next year with quite a few of our people.

Top-ranked 133-pounder Jordan Oliver (15-0) hammered his way to a 22-8 major decision against Ben Cash. It was the sophomore All-American’s 13th bonus-point win this season. Following ISU’s forfeit at 141, the Cowboys led 22-6 with the hosts’ only points coming thanks to a Cowboy forfeit at 125.

Oklahoma State hosts Northern Colorado and North Carolina State next weekend. Jackson’s Cyclones will try and regroup before a trip to New York to face Cornell and Binghamton.

Oklahoma State 29, Iowa State 13
184-Chris Perry (O) pin Cole Shafer, 4:36
197-Clayton Foster (O) dec Jerome Ward, 3-1
285-Blake Rosholt (O) dec Kyle Simonson, 6-2
125-Brandon Jones (I) by fft
133-Jordan Oliver (O) maj dec Ben Cash, 22-8
141-Josh Kindig (O) by fft
149-Jamal Parks (O) dec Max Mayfield, 6-2, 2OT
157-Neil Erisman (O) maj dec Nate Carr, Jr., 8-0
165-Andrew Sorenson (I) dec Dallas Bailey, 5-3
174-Jon Reader (I) maj dec Mike Benefiel, 11-2