Iowa State’s Yonger Bastida cracked a smile as he digested the question.

The third-ranked heavyweight was asked if he ever felt bad about abandoning his previous role as “cutting weight buddy” for decorated 165-pound teammate David Carr. 

His answer?

“Nah, I’m enjoying it,” said Bastida, a 2022 All-American who moved up from 197 last season. “See ‘ya. I’m gonna eat my sandwich. I’m gonna eat my rice and beans.”

Now, both Bastida and Carr are entering all-you-can-eat mode as they prepare for their last true road trip together. The Cyclones (9-1) take on Oklahoma (5-3) on Friday, then challenge longtime nemesis Oklahoma State (8-0) on Saturday. Iowa State seeks its first three-match win streak against the Cowboys since 1980-82 — and both duals will serve as litmus tests of sorts for the Cyclones, who haven’t won a Big 12 title in 16 years.

“I think we’re putting ourselves in the best situation to do that,” said the second-ranked Carr, who’s won gold, bronze and silver in the past three NCAA Championships. “I think the training has been great. We have some of the best coaches in the country. They’re helping us get prepared and I’m excited. It’s my last time kind of traveling with the team. Obviously, we’ll travel for Big 12s and stuff, but as far as a dual, I’m just trying to soak it all in and enjoy it.”

Carr — who boasts a career mark of 107-4 — is expected to face #3 Izzak Olejnik of Oklahoma State in Saturday’s dual. He said he’s not that familiar with Olejnik, who transferred to the Cowboys from Northern Illinois, but that’s OK.

“I feel pretty good whoever I wrestle,” Carr said. “I feel like I have a unique style. I feel like my style of wrestling is challenging for whoever I’m wrestling. So I don’t really think about it in terms of, like, the other person as much, but I know from watching him wrestle he has a few moves that I’m like, ‘OK, I’m aware of (that),’ and things like that.”

Bastida could encounter two top-15 foes on the road trip. The Cuban transplant will carry a 15-0 record into Friday’s possible matchup with Oklahoma’s Josh Heindselman, then will likely face Oklahoma State’s Konner Doucet on Saturday in Stillwater. 

“I’m fresh,” said Bastida, who’s scored bonus points in nine of his wins this season. “I’ve just been working and looking forward to those two matches.”

Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser is looking forward to having 149-pounder Casey Swiderski back on the mat.  He’s been out with a “minor knee injury” since placing fifth in the Cliff Keen Invitational in early December.

“(He) should be ready to go,” said Dresser, who noted that Swiderski needed to successfully complete one more workout before being fully cleared to compete. “We’re gonna take Zach Redding as well, so we’ve got two good bodies to go there and we’ll just see what happens, but right now (Swiderski) looks to be ready.”

Bastida and Carr are beyond ready, even though their longstanding weight-cutting partnership has been dissolved.

“Yonger is lucky,” Carr said. “He gets to eat whatever he wants. I just tell him, ‘Hey, just eat a few slices of cake for me.’ Or, ‘Have an extra sandwich and think of me.’ Just go ahead and enjoy it. At this point in the season, go enjoy. He’s kicking everyone’s butt. So enjoy your food. I’ll be here just running my life away on the treadmill.”

Beware Of Mr. Smith

Iowa State seeks its sixth straight dual win over Oklahoma and second consecutive road win against Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena. That’s a rare feat — and Dresser knows what to expect from John Smith’s talented squad.

“Well, John’s a badass,” Dresser said. “We’re really close in age and we’ve been friends for a lot of years, but when that whistle blows and you’re out there, John will take your head off in two seconds, right? And not feel one bit bad about it. He’ll kick it around the room, step on it, and then he might be your buddy afterwards. That’s just how he rolls and we know what we’re getting into.”

Mocking As Motivation

Dresser said there’s one motivational tool he turns to when Bastida’s focus appears to blur a bit.

That would be ridicule.

“Sometimes in these matches that aren’t big-time matches, he has a tendency to be kind of complacent,” Dresser said. “And I have to kind of get him mad. I’ve learned that I have to get him mad, insult him a bit. Then the fire comes, and then watch out.”

Bastida appreciates the well-intentioned barbs.

“That means that he cares,” Bastida said. “He wants to make you better. Sometimes we get mad (at) each other, because he’s, you know — but that is how it is. I like it. I like it because I know he wants me to be the best version of myself. So, yeah. This is how it is.”