Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Open Home Season Against Tennessee-Chattanooga
November 14, 2002 | Cowboy Wrestling
Nov. 14, 2002
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Pokes open season with Mocs
Oklahoma State enters its 88th year of wrestling this season with an all-time record of 862-90-20. OSU opens the 2002-03 season on Saturday as it hosts Tennessee-Chattanooga. The Cowboys and Mocs have squared off three times previously, with OSU winning all three duals.
The Mocs
Terry Brands begins his first year at the helm of UTC's wrestling program. The Mocs are coming off a 9-8 season, while posting a 5-0 mark in the Southern Conference. UTC also won the SoCon regular season title as well as its 19th SoCon Championship.
Thompson, Lewis, Roller, Holman headline Cowboy lineup
The four All-American's on this year's squad are Skyler Holman (125), Johnny Thompson (133), Shane Roller (157) and Tyrone Lewis (165). Holman garnered his first All-America honors after placing sixth at the NCAA Championships, while Lewis and Roller each captured their second All-America status after finishing third and fourth, respectively. Thompson captured his second All-America honor and notched the program's 122nd Individual National Champion.
Thompson notches OSU's 122nd Individual National Title
Thompson became OSU's 122nd individual national champion during the 2002 season after defeating Ryan Lewis of Minnesota, 5-4, at last year's NCAA Wrestling Championships.
On the air
Oklahoma State Cowboy will once again be carried live by Stillwater Radio KSPI 93.7 FM. J. Carl Guymon will once again be the play-by-play voice of the Cowboys in 2002-03. Fans unable to pick up the over-the-air broadcast will be able to listen to the games via the internet at www.okstate.com.
New to the lineup
A familiar face returns to the lineup at 174 pounds this year in Chris Pendleton. While redshirting a year ago, Pendleton amassed a 13-2 record while wrestling in open tournaments. Redshirt freshman Jake Rosholt will start at 184 pounds, while Muhammed Lawal will start at 197 pounds. Rosholt had a stellar freshman year, garnering a 19-3 record while wrestling in open tournaments. He also captured two U.S. Freestule titles and earned a trip to wrestle in China after winning the FILA Junior World National Freestyle Championships. Lawal came to Oklahoma State by way of Central Oklahoma. Amateur Wrestling News ranked him as the top transfer in the nation. Last season, Lawal notched a 39-2 record and won the Division II national title.
Preseason Team/Individual Rankings
OSU enters the season ranked No. 2 in the polls, while two-time defending champion Minnesota notched the top spot. Individually, the Pokes have seven wrestlers ranked in the top eight, leading the way is top-ranked Johnny Thompson at 133 pounds. Shane Roller and Tyrone Lewis are both ranked No. 2 at 157 and 165 pounds, respectively. Muhammed Lawal notched the No. 4 spot in his first year as a Div. 1 wrestler, while Chris Pendleton and Jerrod Sanders landed the six and seven spot, respectively.
