There were flashes of Carter Schubert’s potential.

A strong practice here. Another there.

Daily success in training, but Oklahoma head coach Roger Kish waited and wondered.

When would Schubert’s work consistently translate to competition? 

This past weekend, the redshirt sophomore became the school’s first Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite champion since 2013, leading a crew of four OU placers.

Schubert stopped Navy’s returning All-American Danny Wask in the 174-pound title bout, 5-4.

The win catapulted Schubert 10 spots to #15 in the rankings. He also won the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week.

The #20 Sooners, still not at full strength, visit #12 Rutgers at 8 p.m. ET Saturday and Rider at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

“This was about the first time I watched Carter find consistency in his wrestling,” Kish said. “The things that we see on a daily basis, we have been kinda wondering and waiting how long it is going to take for him to put it in competition and let the rest of the country know that he has these skills and this level of talent. 

“Really proud that he was able to execute and stay really focused on what he does well. It really paid off.”

Historic Outing 

Schubert paced the Sooners to sixth at the CKLV with 80.5 points — their highest placement since 2015.

Others supported. 

Rutgers transfer #11 Brian Soldano claimed third at 184, #11 DJ Parker grabbed fifth at 197 and #29 Tyler Wells slotted in fifth at 141.

“(Soldano) has come in as a transfer student and just carries that personality and persona that the guys flock to him,” Kish said. “They all love him and he fits in great here with Oklahoma wrestling.”

Healing 

Kish, in November, said fans will soon see the “strongest version of Oklahoma wrestling” when the squad reaches full health.

Fans must wait longer.

 Virginia transfer Jack Gioffre (149), 2024 Ohio All-American Peyten Kellar (157) and 157-pounder Rafael Hipolito Jr. — an ACC champion at Virginia Tech — remain sidelined with various injuries. 

Kellar and Gioffre could return toward the end of December, “if not maybe a little bit before,” Kish said. 

“Those guys should be joining the competition squad here, hopefully in the next couple of weeks as they are back and healthy,” Kish said. “Full strength and ready to go.”

Hipolito underwent surgery for a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, he announced Wednesday via Instagram.

“Not what I wanted, but everything in life has a purpose,” he wrote. “Thank God I came out of surgery fine now to focus on recovery.”

Kish played things close to his vest Tuesday, not hinting at any season-ending surgery. 

“Trying to figure out what the best action is in recovery and making sure (Hipolito) is as healthy as he can be here hopefully for the backend of the season,” Kish said. “There are certainly no guarantees on that with the injury he has.”

In a way, the addition of Kellar and Hipolito shuffled the lineup and contributed to Schubert’s ascent to 174 after he spent his first two seasons at 157. 

It helped, in Schubert’s case, that 2024 bloodrounder Gaven Sax graduated in the spring.

“(Schubert) certainly sacrificed a lot getting down to 157, but utilizing this summer, recognizing there is an opportunity to get big and strong and making sure that he is on full feed,” Kish said. “He has really put on the weight well. He has done it the right way and been very consistent on that front.

“Certainly by no means a small '74-pounder if you ask me.”

Beric To Barracks 

OU will have a new starting 125-pounder in the next few years.

Redshirt freshman Beric Jordan will pause his collegiate athletic eligibility and enlist in the U.S. Army, he announced Nov. 24, with goals of becoming an Army Ranger.

“I have accepted a contract to join the elite 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg and will ship out on April 20th for OSUT (One Station Unit Training) and BAC (Basic Airborne Course) at Fort Benning,” Jordan wrote via Instagram. “This marks the first step in my pursuit of a career with the Army’s Special Operations unit... the 75th Ranger Regiment.”

Jordan, a Stillwater High (Oklahoma) graduate, originally committed to Oklahoma State before he flipped to the south side of the Bedlam rivalry. 

“I tell you what, it has been a goal and a desire of Beric’s for a long time,” Kish said. “I think early on his goal here is to wrestle and compete prior to his service. I think an injury early on kinda put things in perspective for him on making sure that he can serve while he is healthy and his body isn’t going to jeopardize any ability to serve his country the best way he can.”

Jordan could choose to return after his service.

Conrad Hendriksen, in Jordan’s absence, has emerged as OU’s starting 125-pounder.

The redshirt sophomore went 2-2 at the CKLV, including a quarterfinals appearance and opening win over Northern Illinois’ then-#14 Blake West.

Hendriksen battled in a 7-3 quarterfinal loss to eventual champion Jett Strickenberger of West Virginia, then ranked #12.

Hendriksen jumped four spots to #23 in this week’s rankings.

“(Hendriksen) is really, really starting to make his mark and build his confidence as he gets every match in,” Kish said. “He really finds himself in every single match. He has been really an anchor for us down low early on. Really proud of him.”

Carter Schmidt, at 133, also solidified his starting role.

The redshirt sophomore — not to be confused with the former Iowa State and California Baptist wrestler of the same name — went 3-2 at the CKLV, including a consolation win against Appalachian State’s then-#30 Jarvis Little.

“Watching growth out of Conrad and Carter Schmidt has been really exciting for us, knowing that they are starting to figure some things out in competition,” Kish said. “Their confidence is starting to build from it (and) has been really something we have been excited to see here early on. Excited to see what they can continue to do here as they keep going.”