When Oklahoma State coach David Taylor arrived in Stillwater, he emphasized making home dual meets a special event.

In Gallagher-Iba Arena: Personalized walkouts, lights, pyrotechnics and smoke.

On the mat: A 13-1 dual record, a Big 12 Championship and a third-place finish in the 2024-25 FloWrestling dual and tournament rankings.  

All of which helped set a new single-season home attendance record — in just his first year leading the program. In Year 2, Taylor and the fifth-ranked Cowboys are upping the ante. 

“We have a few new things that we’re adding to our production this year,” Taylor said. “Obviously, we made a big step last year in making it more of an event. This year, a few new things, new wrinkles to add, new additions. I think that was one of the coolest things I got in the offseason. People really acknowledged how awesome and how fun it was coming to the dual meets. A big part of that is the product you put out there and how guys are wrestling. But also the in-between, the before and the after.”

It’s no secret Taylor had a hand in altering the presentation during home dual meets. It was a drastic change to an arena environment that, only in recent years under coach John Smith, began adding background music during matches. But as a full-time coach, how much time could he possibly put into production enhancement? More than one would imagine. Taylor was asked how much he collaborates with Oklahoma State director of marketing & fan engagement for wrestling Detrick Bombarger.

“Very much,” Taylor said. “When we first got down here, that was the big thing. Just like, ‘Hey, I think wrestling, it’s something that can be missed sometimes.’ We definitely talk about it. I’m always throwing ideas at him, of things we can do, which is always pretty fun. We have to move forward into this new era that we live in. Excitement is a part of it. We only get seven home matches a year, we want it to be special, we want it to be something people look forward to.”

Lineup Still In The Air

It became routine last year to speculate who the Cowboys would use at 133 pounds with Oklahoma State juggling Cael Hughes and Reece Witcraft and Taylor remaining tight-lipped with his lineup. 

With Oklahoma State having to replace multiple All-Americans and national champions, Taylor faces questions at multiple weights. Still, he’s keeping it close to the vest.

“I have a couple of ideas,” Taylor said, “We’re gonna have 10 guys go out there and wrestle hard. We’re looking forward to 10 guys who can go out and wrestle and score the entire time.”

Oklahoma State is logjammed at multiple weights, especially in the middle of the lineup. Tagen Jamison returns after two trips to the NCAA Championships at 141. Teague Travis made his second trip to the national tournament last season at 149, but he’s back to 157, where he started last year and is currently ranked 17th. 

Additionally, Carter Young is ranked 17th at 141, Hughes has seen time at that weight and the Cowboys also added former Iowa State All-American Casey Swiderski, who notched a win last weekend against #3 Lachlan McNeil at the NWCA All-Star Classic. 

Meanwhile, the Cowboys are expected to roll out freshmen at 165, 184 and 197. 

Taylor acknowledged the challenges of replacing such a veteran-led team with younger talent.

“It is different,” he said. “Last year, having such a veteran team, there’s a lot of things — they’ve been through it. They’ve made adjustments; They’ve been in college for four or five years. It is a young team. Almost half of our team was in high school last year. Just that transition from high school to college in itself, there’s a lot of things that go into that… But this group is doing a really good job. I think these kids are coming out of high school, they’re pretty talented, skilled and (they’re) starting to put things together pretty quickly.”