Wrestling State Tournament bracket released

Bryan Dutton just moments before pinning his Duncan opponent.

The Jays will have two No. 1 seeds this week at the 90th Oklahoma High School Wrestling Championships this Friday and Saturday inside the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City. Both Bryan Dutton and Landry Chappell return where they were each 3-1 in last years tournament to finish 3rd.

The seven state Guthrie qualifer’s is the most under head coach Jack O’Connor, who is in his 19th season.

Visit the GSP home page for the complete Class 5A State Tournament bracket. Regional photo gallery.

Dutton (31-1) is perfect against Oklahoma competition this season and will face Deer Creek freshmen Cole Pacheco (34-9) in the 140 pound opening match. It will be a rematch of the January 13th showdown at GHS. Dutton collected two points in the first period to hold Pacheco 2-0. You can view a portion of that match by clicking here.

At 215, Chappell (21-3) will square off with Collinsville’s News Salisbury (15-20) in his opening match. Perhaps, a showdown awaits in the next round with Chappell and Deer Creek’s Alex Christensen (35-4), who was regional runner-up in the East regional.

Five other Jays will be making their first competitive trip to the State Fair Arena for the varsity including, Austin O’Connor, Devin Bilyeu, Dennis Murphy, Michael Conner, and John Davison.

Austin O'Connor is one of five Jays to make their first HS State Tournament.

O’Connor (21-13), who finished third in the west regional, at 119, will be challenged by Collinsville’s freshmen Will Steltzen (31-6). O’Connor defeated Lawton Mac’s Colby Powers at regionals to revenge his loss in the Carl Albert Tournament.

Bilyeu (14-4) continues to battle injuries, but that will not keep him from defending his No. 3 seed. He will challenge Deer Creek’s Tanner Lackey (31-8) where their last meeting was an instant classic.

On his home mat, Bilyeu won in sudden death and eventually getting a 5-4 win. After a scoreless first period, Bilyeu made it a 1-0 second period lead, but Lackey reversed Bilyeu with 50 seconds left in the match to take a 2-1 lead. However, Bilyeu responded with an escape with just two seconds left to send it into overtime. The match needed a third overtime and after eight minutes of action Bilyeu sent the GHS gym in an uproar. You can watch that match by clicking here.

Murphy (29-8) will match up with Skiatook’s Corey Delk (10-2) in the 152 weight division. Delk, a year ago in the stat tournament, finished third. The winner will likely see top seed and regional winner Kenneth Hartfield, of Western Heights, in the next round. Murphy is coming off an a regional where he collected a pin in the conso finals to earn the three seed.

Davison looking for more big wins this week in State.

At 189, senior Conner (26-8), who battled flu-like symptoms during his regional run that landed him the No. 3 seed, will see Carl Albert’s Kentrell Pierson (21-18). The two seniors from rival schools will wrestle to perhaps challenge top seeded Max Adair, of Lawton Mac, in the next round.

Davison (25-5) made his name known in the regional by taking down the No. 1 seed Evan McGee, of Ardmore, before falling in the regional championship by a slim margin of one point to last year’s 3rd place state finisher Kyle Farley from Chickasha. It was just the second loss of the season for McGee, who lost to Farley in last year’s state conso finals.

Davison will be challenged by the three seeded Zach Hargrove (32-3) in a tough first round contest to perhaps set up another dual with McGee.

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