BIXBY SPARTAN WRESTLING
Head coach: Ray Blake
The Spartans ended their 2022-23 run with a third place finish in team points at the state tournament. Several wrestlers made it to the podium and head coach Ray Blake believes the team on track to be as good or better.
“Bixby boys wrestling finished last year ranked No. 20 in the nation and set or tied program records for state team points (147.5), state champions (4), state finalists (6), state medalists (8), and state qualifiers (12). We return three state champions, four state finalists, and five state medalists to this year’s squad. Mizzou commit Gage Walker will be looking to become a four-time state champion while Mizzou commit Jace Roller and OU commit Clay Giddens-Buttram will look to win their third state titles. We are back-to-back Academic State Champions as well,” said Blake.
Walker’s resume is impressive. Not only is he going for his fourth state title in Oklahoma, he’s also a two-time Fargo All-American, a Doc Buchanan medalist and is ranked No. 10 in the nation. The 4.0 GPA student is headed to the University of Missouri next fall.
Roller is a name synonymous with Bixby wrestling. Jace Roller is headed to the University of Missouri as well and is after his third state title. Roller won the 138-pound title over Cash Holman of Choctaw last year. Roller could wrestle at 144-pounds this season.
Clay Giddens-Buttram won his second title last year over Kael Voinovich of Stillwater. Giddens-Buttram is headed to the University of Oklahoma next fall, but before he trades the red, white, and blue for crimson and cream, CGB is poised for another great season.
Also look for guys like Ishmael Guerrero, Isaiah Jones, Tharyn Hausler, and Hank Puckett to make an impact for the Spartans this season. Coach Blake looks to lead the Spartans to a great dual season as each wrestlers prepares to make history for the Spartans.
