OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mustang Broncos were ranked somewhere between 10th and 15th in the OSSAA rankings throughout the 2023-24 season, something that didn’t seem to sit well with coach Will Delk.
The final rankings at OSSAA.com, as of Jan. 29, have Mustang as the 12th best team in the tournament standings.
Flash forward one month – The Broncos not only exceeded expectations, but they also walked out of Jim Norick Arena as a top five team in Class 6A.
“Honestly, it was their effort,” Delk said, referring to the team’s five placers who took their spots on the podium during the State Tournament Awards Ceremony on Saturday.
“We can bring them here, but it takes them to go out there and compete and make the decision to do that. I’m just super proud of the team. We had a strong finish and I’m excited about that. We had been ranked 10th, 11th, 12th all year, so to finish top five is a very good feeling.”
Van Smith (Fr.) earned a silver medal at 113 pounds, Javin Douglas (Sr.) placed fourth at 126, Daegan Reyes (Jr.) and Sam Pritz (Sr.) placed third at 157 and 215, and Kady Theriot (So.) wrapped things up for Mustang with a bronze at 110 in the 6A Girls State Tournament.
Last year, the Broncos had just one placer – Jacen Jackson, who placed third at 165 pounds before graduating.
What a difference a year can make.
“A lot of good young guys came up and a lot of guys that got close last year just really wanted it,” Pritz said. “The extra work and willingness to push hard. Knowing the coaches care and being the best you can be. And really loving the sport and what you do. That’s all it really was.”
SAM PRITZ – 3rd / 215 LB
Pritz found himself on the podium without wrestling on Saturday night.
He started the tournament with win by fall over Westmoore’s Devin Lacroix before losing by fall to eventual state champion Oscar Williams from Edmond North in the semifinals.
Sam Pritz (Sr.) poses on the podium with his third place medal at 215 pounds. Pritz was one of five medalists for the Mustang Broncos at the 6A State Tournament in Oklahoma City last weekend. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
The Mustang senior bounced back in the blood rounds, defeating Norman North’s Redmond Lindsey to reach the consolation finals. His opponent, Broken Arrow’s Gunner Wilson, was unable to wrestle due to a head injury he suffered in his previous match.
“It feels pretty good to get on the podium,” Pritz said. “Not quite the way I would’ve wanted that win, but I got there based off winning throughout the tournament and regionals, so it feels nice.”
JAVIN DOUGLAS – 4th / 126 LB
Douglas reached the podium after coming up just short the last two years.
He won his first match of the tournament, defeating Sand Springs’ Jaxon Grigsby 6-0 in the first round. Douglas lost his semifinals match with now four-time state champion Gage Walker from Bixby before bouncing back with a 15-0 tech fall victory over Westmoore’s Jackson Yeatman to reach the third and fourth-place match.
Javin Douglas poses on the podium with his fourth place medal at 126 pounds last weekend at Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City. Douglas helped lead the Mustang Broncos to fifth place as a team. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
Douglas lost a tough, hard fought match to Edmond North’s Christian Belford 1-0, but was still proud to reach the podium and medal in his final state tournament appearance.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a child,” he said. “So, to get up there for the first time, it was just a great experience. This is something that I love to do, and I made it happen.”
Delk expressed his gratitude for the way Pritz and Douglas handled themselves as leaders in the wrestling room this season.
Javin Douglas (Sr.) wrestles Bixby’s Gage Walker in the semifinals of the 6A State Tournament at 126 pounds. Douglas finished fourth, taking home a medal in his final appearance for the Broncos. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
“They don’t get much better than Javin and Sam,” Delk said. “They put a lot of effort into this. They both competed their butts off this weekend and we’re going to miss them a lot because of their leadership and other things. Their presence was a big factor for us this year.”
VAN SMITH – 2nd / 113 LB
Smith made an impression on the Oklahoma wrestling scene with his opening round sudden victory win over top seed Madden Skidmore from Edmond North, vaulting the Mustang freshman into the semifinals.
Van Smith (Fr.) poses on the podium with his second place medal from the 6A State Tournament last weekend. Smith helped lead the Broncos to fifth place as a team. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
Smith pinned Ponca City’s Jimmy Swenson before meeting Stillwater’s Aydan Thomas in the championship match. Thomas walked away as the champion, but Smith gained valuable experience as one of the top young wrestlers in the state.
“Catching Skidmore in the first round was probably the best thing for Van,” Delk said after the tournament. “Skid is really, really tough as well as Swenson from Ponca. So, for him to go out there and compete and pull those wins, we’re really excited for him and what he can do the next three years.”
“It feels pretty nice,” Smith added. “But hopefully the next three years I can come out on top.”
Van Smith (Fr.) has his hand raised after defeating Ponca City’s Jimmy Swenson by fall in the semifinals of the 113-pound bracket last weekend. Smith finished runner-up in his first state tournament appearance. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
DAEGAN REYES – 3rd / 157 LB
Reyes, who wrestled in his second straight state tournament, opened the weekend with a win by fall over Deer Creek’s Barrett Weathers.
He lost his semifinals match with eventual state champion Kody Routledge from Edmond North but bounced back nicely with a win by fall over Broken Arrow’s Colton Barlow in the blood rounds.
Daegan Reyes (Jr.) stands on the podium after placing third at 157 pounds in the 6A State Tournament last weekend at Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
Reyes picked up his third fall, pinning Choctaw’s Jory Garrett in the third and fourth-place match for the team’s third bronze overall.
“It felt great,” Reyes said during the awards ceremony. “After last year losing in the blood rounds it’s nice to come back and pin my way through the back side.
“You can’t get down, so it’s definitely a mental thing during those rounds. It’s about not giving up.”
Daegan Reyes (Jr.) wrestles Deer Creek’s Barrett Weathers during the first round of 157-pound bracket at the 6A State Tournament last weekend in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
KADY THERIOT – 3rd / 110 LB
Theriot opened the 6A Girls State Tournament with a 6-0 win over Ponca City’s Marli Lieb before losing in the semifinals to Westmoore’s Mariah Robbins.
The sophomore grappler rebounded with a win by fall over Jenks’ Addie Thompson in the consolation semifinals and captured the bronze with a 2-0 decision over a familiar opponent – Altus’ Nataly Gloria.
Kady Theriot (So.) stands on the podium after placing third at 110 pounds in the 6A Girls State Tournament last weekend at Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
“It was my fifth time wrestling her this year, so I kind of knew what to do,” Theriot said after the tournament. “That last minute I was just counting down the seconds because I was so gassed, and she is such a great wrestler.”
Mustang coach Will Staats was especially proud of Theriot’s ability to handle the big stage as just a sophomore.
“I think she handled it with poise,” Staats said. “She has wrestled in several little league tournaments that have set her up for venues like this. She wrestled great and we are all super proud of the way she represented Mustang.”
Kady Theriot (So.) wrestles Westmoore’s Mariah Robbins during the semifinals of the 110-bracket last weekend at the 6A Girls State Tournament in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
BLOOD ROUNDS
Each year wrestlers are tested in the consolation rounds of the State Tournament.
Douglas, Reyes, Pritz, and Theriot were able to reach the consolation finals after combining for four wins in the “Blood Rounds” following the championship semifinals. Delk says working back to the third and fourth-place match is a testament to the grapplers’ character and mindset.
“It’s one of my favorite rounds of wrestling at all levels,” the second-year Mustang coach said. “You find out what you’re made of. Some kids get upset and fold. But the ones that pin their ears back and get after it, I appreciate that and respect it a lot.”
Mustang coaches Will Staats (left) and Will Delk (right) watch one of Mustang’s placers from the chairs during the 6A State Tournament last weekend in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
CLASS 6A NOTES
Edmond North captured the 6A state title with a record-breaking performance.
The Huskies placed in the top three in all 14 weight classes, including eight state champions. They scored 260.5 team points.
Bixby finished second with 129.5 points while Stillwater finished third with 110.5.
Elgin won the Class 5A state title while Tuttle won Class 4A for a record-setting 16th straight year. Marlow won the 3A state title.
Bixby won the 6A girls state title while Edmond North finished runner-up and Union finished third. Little Axe won the state title in 5A.
