Senior Yonger Bastida clinched his second Big 12 title in heavyweight wrestling on Saturday at the Big 12 Championships held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Battling against Oklahoma State‘s redshirt senior Konner Doucet, Bastida secured a decisive victory with a score of 4-1, showcasing his determination and skill on the mat.
The championship bout unfolded with neither wrestler yielding ground during the first period. In the second period, Bastida executed a critical takedown that ultimately led to his victory. After the match, he expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Man, feels good, man. You know, I came here with that mentality, trying to get my second title. And I did, man, feels good.”
Bastida’s triumph marks another significant achievement in his athletic career, but he remains focused on future goals. Reflecting on his win, he remarked, “I mean, you know, just another title, man. And you know, I already won it, so I know what it feels like … so now I just move forward to another thing.” That “thing” is the upcoming NCAA Championships, scheduled for March 19-21, where Bastida aims to capture the one title that has eluded him.
The NCAA Championships will be Bastida’s fourth appearance at the national level, having previously competed in the 2023-24 season. Kevin Dresser, head coach of Iowa State, noted the significance of this moment for Bastida, saying, “I’m sure Yonger would take that big wall chart and light it on fire right now if he could trade it in for one in two weeks.”
Bastida’s journey over the last two years has been transformative. He emphasized his mental fortitude, stating, “I just got mentally tougher. You know, just everything, anything that life has thrown me in the next two weeks or so, I’m ready for it. I’ve been through the worst, so I think that’s a pleasure.”
As he prepares for the national championships, Bastida is motivated and eager to make his final collegiate season count. “Hungry, man, that’s the word,” he declared. “I’m hungry. I’m looking forward to taking one match at a time and hopefully I can win it.”
With his second Big 12 title secured, Yonger Bastida now turns his focus to the NCAA Championships, aiming to add a national title to his impressive list of accomplishments.
