Oklahoma State University Athletics
Preseason Wrestling Polls Announced
June 21, 1999 | Cowboy Wrestling
November 11, 1998
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's wrestling team will begin the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, according to both major preseason wrestling polls it was announced this week.
Amateur Wrestling News and Intermat Wrestling, the two-major college wrestling publications, both tabbed the Pokes as the preseason favorite to bring home this years' mat crown. Minnesota is ranked second by Intermat and third by AWN and Iowa is second by AWN and third by Intermat.
Several of the Cowboys opponents this season are listed in both polls. Included on that list: Minnesota, Iowa, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Arizona State, Fresno State, Michigan State, Oregon State and Nebraska.
The Pokes come into the season with a 45-dual winning streak and return four All-Americans.
Individually both publications rank three Cowboys No. 1 in their weight class. Returning national champions Teague Moore at 125 and Eric Guerrero at 133 along with Mark Smith at 174 have all garnered the top spot in both polls.
Jamill Kelly is ranked 10th by Intermat and eighth by AWN. Jimmy Arias is ranked third (IM) and fourth (AWN) at 157 by the respective polls, 184-pounder Mark Muoz comes in ranked ninth (IM) and seventh (AWN), 197-pounder Pat Popolizio is ranked 13th (IM) and 10th (AWN) and heavyweight Dave Anderton is ranked 16th by Intermat.
The Pokes first hit the mat November 17 with the Orange-Black Ranking Matches at 6:30 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Intermat
1. Oklahoma St.
2. Minnesota
3. Iowa
4. Penn St.
5. Oklahoma
6. Iowa St.
7. Central Michigan
8. West Vriginia
9. Illinois
10. Northwestern
11. Rider
12. Arizona St.
13. Lehigh
14. Purdue
15. Fresno St.
16. Oregon St.
17. Pennsylvania
18. Michigan St.
19. Northern Iowa
20. Lock Haven
21. Nebraska
22. Pittsburgh
23. Edinboro
24. Clarion
25. Wisconsin
Amateur Wrestling News
1. Oklahoma State
2. Iowa
3. Minnesota
4. Penn State
5. Oklahoma
6. Central Michigan
7. Iowa State
8. Illinois
9. Northwestern
10. West Virginia
11. Arizona State
12. Fresno State
13. Oregon State
14. Lehigh
15. Bakersfield
16. Michigan State
17. Pittsburgh
18. Clarion
19. Pennsylvania
20. Nebraska
