Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Michigan St
Top-Ranked Wrestlers roll Spartans, 31-3
January 14, 2001 | Cowboy Wrestling
Jan. 14, 2001
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STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma State's top-ranked wrestling team avenged last season's loss to Michigan State, cruising to a a 31-3 win before 2,644 fans at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Sunday.
The Cowboys run their record to 8-0 on the season, while the 11th ranked Spartans fall to 2-2.
At 133 pounds, Johnny Thompson jumped out to an 8-3 lead and held on to upset the Spartans' seventh-ranked Pat McNamara, 11-9. Thompson scored four first-period takedowns to take the early lead. McNamara takedown's in both the second and third period closed the gap.
"Johnny Thompson wrestled hard and smart," according to head coach John Smith. "The score ended up pretty close. I don't think it was so much Johnny not shutting it down a little bit as it is getting takedowns and escapes. A guy throws a takedown in there and all of the sudden those points get a little closer. He gets an escape and a takedown and it is a three-point difference. That is a credit to (Pat) McNamara for staying in the match."
OSU's 17th-ranked 141-pounder, Jerrod Sanders, pulled off a mild upset with a 4-3 decision of MSU's 10th-ranked Mike Castillo.
Shane Roller, OSU's 17th-ranked 157-pounder, follow Sanders' lead with a 11-3 upset of ninth-ranked Gary Maynard. Roller scored a five-point move late in the second period to take control of the the match.
"I thought we gave a really good effort," said Smith. "I look at the guys, like Shane Roller's match, who was well-disciplined in his match. He took the opportunities that he had and not really forcing a lot of mistakes. He has grown and is growing over the year that he had and identified some areas that make him a better wrestler."
OSU heavyweight James Huml turned in his most impressive outing of the season, decisioning MSU's 19th-ranked Matt Lamb, 7-4.
At 184 pounds, OSU's second-ranked Daniel Cormier scored eight points in the final period en route to a 13-6 decision over the Spartans' John Wechter.
The Cowboys' Mark Mu?oz, who entered with a No. 2 ranking, moved his record to 13-1 on the season and gave OSU a 7-0 lead after posting a 16-7 major decision.
MSU got on the board with a victory in the 125-pound match. Chris Williams' riding time proved to be the difference in a 4-3 decision.
The Pokes closed the match with two-straight wins at 165 and 174 pounds. Ty Wilcox won a 7-4 decision at 165, while 174-pounder Tyrone Lewis won this ninth-straight match, picking up a 21-6 technical fall.
OSU returns to action on Saturday at the NWCA National Duals in University Park, Pa.
