Oklahoma State University Athletics
Four Cowboys Advance into Quarterfinals
March 21, 2002 | Cowboy Wrestling
March 21, 2002
Oklahoma State's wrestling team advanced four wrestlers into the quarterfinals of the 2002 NCAA Championships on Thursday night at the Pepsi Arena.
"It's about where I thought it would be," head coach John Smith said. "The thing about his tournament is that it exposes your weaknesses pretty quick.
"The good thing about this is we have nine going into tomorrow and I feel good about it," Smith said. "Coming in, I thought we would have six or seven going in, but there were some bright moments."
Skyler Holman (25-3) and All-American Johnny Thompson (34-2) notched decisions at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively. Holman used two takedowns before defeating Greg Schaefer of Indiana, 6-2, while Thompson picked up a 6-2 decision over Lock Haven's Chris Spaeller.
Shane Roller improved to 30-5 after defeating Brad Harper of Purdue. Roller used two takedowns before picking up the 7-3 decision.
"I think we are in a situation right now that we could possibly end up having four, five, or six All-Americans, but it could go the other way if we don't show up," Smith said. "I think in that championship round we have to show up. We have some tough bouts but I do believe that we can't take anyone for granted."
Tyrone Lewis used three first-period takedowns before recording a 14-5 major decision over Arizona State's Nick Frost, to improve to 28-3 on the year.
Seniors Ty Wilcox and James Huml, and junior Jerrod Sanders all lost in the second-round championship bracket. Wilcox (23-8) lost a tough 3-2 decision to Tyler Nixt of Iowa, while Huml (24-11) fell to Purdue's Jake Vercelli, 5-3. Sanders fell to 23-11 on the year after losing to Michigan's Mike Kulczycki, 18-4.
In the consolation bracket, Willie Gruenwald used two takedowns before pinning Marcio Botelho of Fresno State in 1:48. Pat Popolizio advanced to the second round consolations after defeating Ohio State's Blake Kaplan, 9-2.
The quarterfinals will begin at 10 a.m. (ET) on Friday with the semifinals slated to start at 5:30 p.m. (ET)
Team Results (top 10) Oklahoma 37.5 Minnesota 35.5 Iowa 31 Michigan 25.5 Iowa State 25 Oklahoma State 22.5 Lehigh 19.5 Ohio State 19 Pennsylvania 17.5 Missouri 17 Northern Iowa 17
Results 125: Skyler Holman (OSU) dec. Greg Schaefer (Indiana), 6-2 133: Johnny Thompson (OSU) dec. Chris Saeller (Lock Haven), 6-2 149: Mike Kulczycki (Mich.) m.d. Jerrod Sanders (OSU), 18-4 157: Shane Roller (OSU) dec. Brad Harper (Purdue), 7-3 165: Tyrone Lewis (OSU) m.d. Nick Frost (ASU), 14-5 174: Tyler Nixt (Iowa) dec. Ty Wilcox (OSU), 3-2 285: Jake Vercelli (Purdue) dec. James Huml (OSU), 5-3
Consolation 184: Pat Popolizio (OSU) dec. Blake Kaplan (Ohio State), 9-2 197: Willie Gruenwald (OSU) fall Marcio Botelho (Fresno State), 1:48
