Piccininni To Wrestle NCAA Champ At NWCA All-Star Classic

Oklahoma State wrestling redshirt sophomore Nick Piccininni will wrestle defending NCAA Champion Darian Cruz of Lehigh in the 125-pound match at the 52nd annual National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic, the organization announced Wednesday.
 
The NWCA All-Star Classic is an exhibition dual that matches up two of the best from around the nation in each weight class. The event is set for Sunday, Nov. 5 at Jadwin Gymnasium on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, N.J.
 
This year signifies the 41st time in 52 events at least one Cowboy has competed at the All-Star Classic. Last season, Anthony Collica represented the Pokes, knocking off then-No.3 Lavion Mayes in the 149-pound match. Piccininni will make Oklahoma State's 91st appearance at the event.
 
Nick Piccininni is coming off an outstanding redshirt freshman season in 2017 that saw the East Setauket, N.Y., native go 27-8 overall on the way to his first career Big 12 title and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships to claim his first All-America honor as well. The upcoming match will be the first collegiate meeting between Piccininni and Cruz.
 
Fans can stream the event live on Trackwrestling.