BARTLESVILLE WRESTLERS TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AGAINST OOLOGAH
Bartlesville High School’s Liam Buchanan (right) wrestles against an Oologah opponent during a recent dual in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Bartlesville High School wrestler Coree Mays competes in a home dual against Oologah.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Feb. 3, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
With all his baseball teammates there to cheer him on recently, senior wrestler Liam Buchanan pulled off a win best described by seven letters — M-I-R-A-C-L-E.
The result of the match rocked the Phillips Fieldhouse rafters and windows with a vibrating intensity likely not seen in a long, long time in a wrestling match.
It took place in the 150-pound match when Buchanan — who last wrestled competitively in the seventh grade — trailed by 10 points with less than 45 seconds remaining.
With 38 seconds left, one or both wrestlers went out of bounds to stop the clock with Buchanan trailing, 23-13.
Seconds after the action resumed, Buchanan snapped back like a snake’s tongue on a swivel.
Bartlesville High School wrestler Liam Buchanan is close to pinning an Oologah opponent during a recent home dual.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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“It was a crazy match,” said Vashus. “He (Buchanan) got the guy on his back … and had him in headlock. He kept working it until he got a pin.”
Buchanan — who is known primarily as a baseball player — is basically a first-year wrestler, Vashus said, adding this was a great win for him and for the team.
Bartlesville went on to beat Oologah, 57-12.
In another highlight, Jeremiah Russell (120 pounds) took on the No. 5-ranked wrestler in Class 3A and Russell earned the close win.
“It was nice to see him open up and think a little more about attacking,” Vashus said. “That was the difference.”
Bartlesville needed to fill in a couple of spots and one of the substitutes, Coree Mays, pinned his opponent at 126 pounds.
“Coree had to work for it,” Vashus added.