Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Opens With Ranking Matches
November 09, 2000 | Cowboy Wrestling
Nov. 9, 2000
STILLWATER, Okla.-- Oklahoma State wrestling will take the mat Friday for the Orange and White Ranking Matches at 7 p.m. at Stillwater High School.
This year's ranking matches will consist of 12 matches, instead of the usual 10. Additional matches are scheduled for 157 and 165 pounds.
Leading the way for the Orange team is All-American Mark Mu-oz at 197 pounds. Mu-oz finished third at last year's NCAA Championships and will start the season ranked third by Amateur Wrestling News.
For the Black team, two-time All-American Reggie Wright has been named team captain. The 149-pounder finished fourth a year ago with a 38-4 record. Wright is ranked fourth by Amateur Wrestling News' preseason poll.
Some of the most highly competitive matchups are expected to be at 133, 157 and 285 pounds. At 133 pounds, returning starter and Orange team member Charles Walker should receive a stern test from redshirt freshman John Thompson.
Sophomore Shane Roller will also look to defend his starting spot at 157 pounds against the Black's Billy Gabel. Gabel filled in for the Cowboys at 174 and 184 pounds last year and will now look for a spot in the lineup at 157 pounds.
Intrigue surrounds the heavyweight matchup between junior college transfers James Huml and D.J. Radnovich. Huml claimed the NJCAA title last season with Radnovich finishing third.
Along with the 12 ranking matches, two exhibition matches will be wrestled. Michael Christian, a freshman form Lynnwood, Wash., will take on the incumbent starter at 184-pounds Daniel Cormier. Cormier is not taking part in the Orange and Black matches due to disciplinary reasons. Cormier will also miss the Pokes' first dual of the season against Missouri, however, he will return for the Iowa Dual on Dec. 2 at the Myriad in Oklahoma City.
The Cowboys will open the dual schedule on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in Broken Arrow, Okla., at the Broken Arrow High School against the Missouri Tigers.
