2021-22 Big 12 Conference Rankings

197 pounds

The obvious big change in this weight class is the unfortunate news that NCAA champion AJ Ferrari will not be returning to the Oklahoma State lineup for the postseason following a car accident last month. Returning All-American Stephan Buchanan has earned the #1 ranking at 197 pounds with the absence of Ferrari. Buchanan has wins over Rocky Elam and Yonger Bastida, with his only conference loss apart from Ferrari coming to Owen Pentz. Tanner Sloan holds wins over Jake Woodley, Pentz, and won the most recent match against Elam to earn the #2 ranking here. Woodley is a returning All-American and holds the head-to-head win over Bastida to earn the #3. Bastida has improved immensely for Iowa State this season and won the head-to-head against Elam in an absolutely bananas match where Elam was in firm control with under a minute to go in the match. This weight will be incredible to watch at the Big 12 tournament, no matter how these guys get seeded. 

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