Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Opens Home Season Nov. 30
November 17, 1999 | General
Nov. 17, 1999
"New faces, same Cowboy attitude." This is the motto that the Oklahoma State men's wrestling team has embodied for the 1999-2000 season.
The Oklahoma State men's wrestling team is looking to reload this year after the loss of four All-Americans from last year's squad.
"There are going to be a lot of new faces that we are going to be working with this year," Smith said. "Obviously there is some good and some bad with that. The good news is that they have been in the program and have already worked with the team and coaches."
This OSU team is different from any other Cowboy wrestling team in that there are no national champions and only one All-American returning to the team.
With the loss of three-time NCAA Champion Eric Guerrero, three time All-American Teague Moore, three time All-American Mark Smith, and All-American Jimmy Arias the Cowboys are looking to some new faces in the starting line-up.
Although these faces may not be known to fans, they are well known to OSU coaches.
Returning for the Cowboys are All-American Reggie White in the 149 pound class, heavyweight Dave Anderton and Mark Munoz, who will occupy 197.
Redshirt junior Pat Popolizio is a familiar face returning to OSU wrestling. He's returning this year after a season ending injury last year.
"At 184, we're moving Popolizio down," Smith said. "Pat will have the opportunity he hasn't had since he came here, and that is to wrestle at a weight class that is best for him. He's at a weight class where he feels comfortable, that alone is a confidence builder."
At the 141-weight class redshirt freshman Jerrod Sanders is yet another new and promising face for Cowboy wrestling.
The Cowboys are also looking to redshirt freshman Shane Roller to challenge some opponents.
Roller, a four time state champion out of high school will be wrestling at the 157-weight class.
This Cowboy team brings a 68-match dual win streak into the season. This streak will be tested early and often this season.
"This is a tough schedule for this particular team, but we have tough schedules every year," Smith said. "We're not looking for people we know we can slaughter. We're looking for good challenges that will test us and let us know individually the areas we need to work on."
The Oklahoma State men's wrestling team faces one of its toughest challenges early in the season as the Cowboys take on the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Sooners are ranked fourth in country and the Cowboys are ranked fifth.
The dual is scheduled for Tues., Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. in Stillwater.
