Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestlers Open Season with Annual Orange/Black Match
November 08, 2001 | Cowboy Wrestling
Nov. 8, 2001
Oklahoma State's wrestling team hosted its annual orange/black wrestling match Thursday night at Gallagher Iba Arena.
Senior Pat Popolizio and freshman Jake Rosholt battled it out at the 184 pound weight class. Popolizio scored the first points with a takedown in the second period and never looked back. Rosholt's only point came on an escape at the end of the third period. Popolizio won the match 6-1, giving the orange team a 3-0 edge.
"I don't know how people look at the ranking matches," head coach John Smith said. "But I'm feeling a lot better than I did before tonight."
In the second match of the night, redshirt freshman Rusty Blackmon and sophomore Willie Gruenwald battled for the 197 spot. Gruenwald scored two takedowns in the first period, while Blackmon recorded two escapes. Gruenwald went on to decision Blackman 11-6.
"Obviously, we've got guys like John Mark Bentley and Matt Brown that we don't want to forget because their going to be in the mix," Smith said.
Senior James Huml picked up the decision over freshman Mike Christian at the heavy weight class, while junior Skylar Holman picked up a major decision over freshman Derek Stevens.
"I think we are a little bit further along than I expected," Smith said. "This is a good sign, but we need to get better heading into early December."
All-American sophomore Johnny Thompson went up against sophomore Cody Stites in at 133 pounds. Thompson scored a quick takedown en route to a 7-2 decision.
Sophomore Ronnie Delk scored two first-period takedowns against sophomore Clark Shouse, while Shouse recorded two escapes. With Delk having a 4-2 edge over Shouse at the start of the second period, Delk went on to record two more takedowns, ultimately giving him a 9-4 decision over Shouse.
"Clark (Shouse) and Ronnie (Delk) came everyday to practice expecting to get better," Smith said. "I think with time both of them are going to be an important part to this program."
Junior Jerrod Sanders recorded the night's second major decision over redshirt freshman Kevin Ward at 149 pounds, while All-American junior Shane Roller decision freshman Matt Ellis at 157 pounds.
With All-American Tyrone Lewis dropping down to the 165 weight class, he went up against redshirt freshman Matt Lay. Lewis dominated the match recording four takedowns before pinning Lay in 2:57.
The last match of the evening was between junior Chad Reid and senior Ty Wilcox in the 174 weight class. The match was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. Wilcox recorded the win in the second overtime with a reversal.
The Cowboys will open up the regular season on Nov. 17 at the Cliff Keen Open in Tulsa, Okla.
