Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestlers Shine at Kaufman-Brand Open
November 23, 2002 | Cowboy Wrestling
Nov. 23, 2002
Zack Esposito earned Outstanding Wrestler honors as Oklahoma State wrestlers won six of the 10 weight classes at the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 23.
The seventh-ranked Blair Academy product won three of his four matches by major decision, while defeating Iowa's ninth-ranked Luke Moffitt in the quarterfinals and fourth-ranked Dylan Long of Northern Iowa in the finals.
"Overall, I thought we had a pretty good tournament," head coach John Smith said. "With as many guys as we brought, I felt pretty good. A couple of athletes didn't perform well and they can learn from this tournament."
All-American Skyler Holman entered the tournament as the top seed at 125 pounds. After winning his first two matches by major decision and technical fall, he defeated Derek Stevens, 5-1, in the semifinals and Cody Stites, 4-0, in the finals to notch the victory.
Top-seeded Johnny Thompson captured the title after defeating Jarred Berger of Nebraska, 11-4, in the finals. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native won his first match by fall before rattling off three consecutive victories en route to the title.
Two-time All-American Tyrone Lewis captured the title at 165 pounds after Drew Kelly used a medical forfeit. Lewis defeated David Cole by technical fall in the second round, and Hesston Johnson, 15-5, in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals.
The El Reno, Okla., native then defeated Levi Prevost , 5-1, in the semifinals en route to the tournament victory.
Chris Pendlton upended Iowa's top-seeded Tyler Nixt in the finals, 4-2, in sudden victory before notching the tournament victory. Pendleton cruised to the finals after winning his first three matches by fall and two decisions.
After finishing second and third the past two years at the tournament, fourth-ranked Muhammed Lawal notched the tournament victory after defeating Chad Wallace of UNO, 11-5, in the finals. Lawal finished the tournament with two pins, with the quickest coming in 3:07.
Seniors Jerrod Sanders and Shane Roller each finished second at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively. Sanders won his first three matches but fell to top-seeded Eric Larking of Arizona State, 4-2.
Top-seeded Roller used a first round pin of :34 over Justin Speakman and two decision to rach the finals. He then fell to Iowa's second-seeded Matt Anderson, 5-1, in the finals to finish second.
In the 20 and under division, freshman Kyle Shelton and Eric Dabbs were the two highest placers for OSU.
After losing his first match, Shelton tallied seven consecutive victories before finishing third.
Dabbs won his first three matches, but fell to Travis Paulson in the semifinals. Dabbs then recorded two straight victories before finishing third.
The Cowboys will return to action on Dec. 1 as they host the Missouri Tigers in conference action.
Results Open Division125 pounds 1. Skyler Holman 2. Cody Stites 5. Derek Stevens
133 pounds 1. Johnny Thompson
141 pounds 1. Zack Esposito 4. Ronnie Delk
149 pounds 2. Jerrod Sanders
157 pounds 2. Shane Roller
165 pounds 1. Tyrone Lewis
174 pounds 1. Chris Pendleton
197 pounds 1. Muhammed Lawal 3. Rusty Blackmon
285 pounds 5. Willie Gruenwald
Under 20 Division
149 pounds 3. Kyle Shelton
157 pounds 3. Eric Dabbs
