All good things must come to end. As did David Taylor’s dream debut season with the Cowboys, his perfect record marred just at the very end. Oklahoma State’s wrestling team lost their first game of the season in crucial dual against Iowa, 21-16, at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Taylor’s decision to send in redshirt freshman Rin Sakamoto against Iowa’s No. 2 ranked Drake Ayala proved to be the game-changer that tipped the result in the Hawkeyes’ favor.

National wrestling commentator Jason Bryant offered his opinion on Taylor’s choice, saying, “If you want to introduce someone to what a pressure cooker collegiate wrestling can be, there’s few, if any, better litmus tests than sending out a guy against a returning finalist at Carver.”

It was not an easy situation for Sakamoto, who had just arrived from Japan in January. He fell in his debut 11-1 in a major decision to Ayala, even though he did put up a good fight. The loss left the dual score tied at four points, but that was all Iowa needed to pick up momentum.

Drake Ayala impressed in his match, dominating and finishing strong at the last minute to score the major. It was certainly a baptism by fire for Rin Sakamoto and while not everyone may agree with Taylor’s decision, it may prove to be the exact kind of motivation Sakamoto needs. After all, a loss can often teach you more than a win does and Sakamoto’s exposure to such an intense bout is sure to be an enriching learning opportunity for him in his future college wrestling career.

Cowboys suffer their first loss of the season

The 133-pound match was only part of the story in this closely contested dual. Iowa had decisive wins in several weight classes, including a sudden victory fall by Angelo Ferrari against OSU’s Dustin Plott in 184. The lack of ranking for Ferrari made his 5-3 win all the more special, and Iowa’s depth and endurance were on full view.

OSU’s Wyatt Hendrickson offered up a bright moment for the Cowboys in their technical fall win against Iowa’s Ben Kueter, 18-3, in the second period. Still, it did not do enough to overcome Iowa’s edge. The final momentum swing came in the 197-pound match that saw Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan take a 10-1 major decision against OSU’s Luke Surber, effectively securing Iowa’s dual win.

The loss is the season’s initial for the Cowboys, and they continue their losing streak in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where their last win occurred in 2012. The attention for Oklahoma State is now directed towards the upcoming Big 12 Championships, where the Cowboys intend to regroup and push for a solid end to their year.“This team has shown resilience all year,” Taylor said. “We’ll take this experience, learn from it, and come back stronger.”

While the defeat to Iowa is a minor setback for Oklahoma State, it is also an opportunity for learning and improvement. The Cowboys have shown their strength and resilience in their season to date, and this loss is something to draw on in their leadup to the Big 12 Championships. OSU will take this opportunity to draw on their experience, improve their game, and demonstrate to everyone that their season-long achievements have left them better equipped to handle what is to come. However, the true challenge for them is how quickly and effectively they bounce back and convert their loss to future successes.