Iowa State heavyweight David Zabriskie beat fellow sophomore Jared Rosholt three times last season.

In the finals of the Big 12 Tournament, Zabriskie edged out the Oklahoma State wrestler, 3-2, to win the Cyclones’ first outright conference team title in 25 years.

The intensity of the ISU wrestling team’s dual on Sunday against the Cowboys may rival the ferocity of that finals match.

“It’s a little easier being on the winning side of things,” said Zabriskie (19-4), who is ranked fourth nationally. “On the losing side, it might give you some motivation going in.”

Rosholt and the No. 3 Cowboys (10-2, 1-1 in Big 12) are likely holding a grudge after losing their hold over the conference last season.

Oklahoma State had won eight of the previous 10 Big 12 titles. The Cyclones (11-3) wrestle 18th-ranked Oklahoma (11-2, 0-1) in Norman on Friday night to open the Big 12 season, then drive north to face the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

Iowa State hasn’t beaten Oklahoma State in Stillwater since 2000, but is trying for its first three-dual winning streak against the Cowboys since the period of 1980-82.

“We’re not worried about streaks, or whatever – history,” said ISU coach Cael Sanderson. “We’re just worried about being at our best and getting the best effort out of all 10 guys. If we do that, we’ve got a great chance of winning that dual.”

The Cyclones will first have to go through the Sooners, which feature five wrestlers ranked in the top 15, including seventh-ranked undefeated senior Josh Weitzel (184).

Weitzel will do battle with No. 1-ranked Cyclone Jake Varner (17-0). Also ranked for Oklahoma are No. 13 sophomore Brian Shelton(133), No. 14 sophomore Zach Bailey (141), No. 9 junior Will Rowe (149), No. 20 junior Chad Terry (157) and No. 5 senior Joel Flaggert (197).

“[Oklahoma’s] got some great kids,” Sanderson said. “They always have a good team, especially when you wrestle them in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma State has a great lineup. You don’t get ranked third. without having a great team. We’ve got some big matchups that I know are guys are looking forward to.”

Oklahoma State is the most successful wrestling program in the history of collegiate wrestling with 34 NCAA titles.

The Cowboys have five wrestlers ranked seventh or better, including No. 1-ranked senior Coleman Scott (133) and second-ranked senior Nathan Morgan (141).

NAIA transfer Jake Dieffenbach (165), a senior, is ranked fifth in his first season of Division I competition. Iowa City native Brandon Mason (174) and Rosholt are ranked seventh, while Newly McSpadden (157) is ranked 17th.

Beating the Cowboys in the Big 12 Championships last season was a milestone for the program.

“We’re building our program back up,” Varner said. “We used to be a powerhouse, and we started building that back up the last few years, so it’s good to do something like that to get Iowa State back on top, right where it should be.”

Iowa State moved down one spot in the team rankings, to ninth, this week, down from eighth despite a win over 13th-ranked Wisconsin in its last dual.

The Cyclones were ranked No. 1 in early December.

“When we were ranked first for a week, [now] we’re ranked ninth – it doesn’t change what we’re trying to do,” Sanderson said. “We’re not a worse team now than we were in December – we’re a better team. Each individual is better now. Our chances of winning a national championship, in my mind, are better now. We just have to stay real positive and believe in what we’re doing, and we’ll be fine.”