Oklahoma State University Athletics
No. 5 Oklahoma State Grapplers Host No. 4 Iowa State
January 30, 2002 | Cowboy Wrestling
Jan. 30, 2002
Oklahoma State's Fifth-ranked wrestling team (15-3, 2-0) will host No. 4 Iowa State (13-3, 1-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. in a dual that will feature 19 wrestlers currently ranked in their respective weight classes.
The history between Iowa State and Oklahoma State dates back as far as the 1920s, and will mark the 62nd meeting between the two teams. OSU leads the overall series, 43-15-3, over the Cyclones. Last year the Cowboys defeated ISU in both meetings, once at the National Duals, 25-13, and the other in Ames, 25-14.
Iowa State defeated the Cowboys this year in the National Duals, 25-20. Oklahoma State jumped out to an early lead 12-0, only to have the Cyclones come back and win four out of the last five matches and sealed the win with a fall, a major decision, three decisions and a disqualification.
Prior to the meeting in the National Duals, the last time Iowa State beat the Cowboys was the 1999-2000 season when the Cyclones visited Stillwater, 22-10.
"Guys just need to be ready," said assistant coach Mark Branch. "We took it for granted as wrestlers and as staff, but you can't take anything for granted with this team."
Iowa State is led by senior Cael Sanderson, who sports a 26-0 season record along with an undefeated career at 145-0. The Cyclones are coming off a 33-15 win Friday against N.C. State, and a fourth-place finish at the National Duals.
"They have the potential to score bonus points and that's what makes them dangerous," said Branch. "We have to limit the bonus points in the big weights like 197 and 165. There are some good matches and you have to win those especially in your conference."
Last week fifth-ranked Oklahoma State fended off No. 9 Missouri with a hefty 26-7 victory. The Cowboys won eight of the 10 matches and gave the ninth-seeded Tigers their first loss of the year.
OSU is coming of a win 26-7 win over No. 9 Missouri in Columbia on Jan. 25. The Cowboys won 8-of-10 matches en route to improving to 28-0 over the Tigers.
