Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Set to Grapple Hawkeyes
January 07, 2003 | Cowboy Wrestling
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No. 1 vs. No. 2 Showdown
Oklahoma State's top-ranked wrestling team will host the second-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes this Sunday at 2 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The dual will mark the first 1-2 matchup since the 1997-98 season when OSU traveled to Iowa City. The Pokes defeated Iowa, 22-18, handing them their fourth loss at Carver-Hawkeye.
On Iowa
The Hawkeyes celebrated their 20th anniversary in Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a 36-3 victory over UC Davis Jan. 3. It was a family match-up as Iowa Head Coach Jim Zalesky faced his brother and former Hawkeye teammate Lennie Zalesky, who is in his second season as UC Davis Head Coach. The first event ever held in the arena was Iowa's 35-7 defeat of Oklahoma on Jan. 3, 1983.
Last Time Out
Oklahoma State's top-ranked wrestling team won eight of the 10 bouts en route to a 26-6 whipping over third-ranked Minnesota. The Gophers jumped to an early 3-0 lead when Jared Lawrence decisioned Jerrod Sanders, 8-2. Fifth-ranked Shane Roller stunned the Minnesota crowd after upsetting the Gopher's top-ranked Luke Becker, 9-5, to tie the score at 3-3. Tyrone Lewis and Chris Pendleton each picked up decisions at 165 and 174, respectively, to give the Cowboys a 9-3 lead. Jake Rosholt was never challenged in his match against two-time All-American Damion Hahn, as he recorded the 6-0 upset. The Cowboys' final upset of the night came when Willie Gruenwald decisioned Minnesota's two-time All-American Garrett Lowney, 4-3. The junior from Skiatook, Okla., was down 3-2 late in the third period, but recorded a takedown with 11 seconds remaining to notch the win. Skyler Holman blitzed Bobbe Lowe, 19-5, and Muhammed Lawal dropped Eli Ross, 22-9, each recording the major decision. Minnesota's only other win of the night came when third-ranked Ryan Lewis knocked off top-ranked Johnny Thompson, 6-5.
The Rankings
Nine Cowboys are ranked in the top 10 individually by Amateur Wrestling News. Johnny Thompson, Zack Esposito, Tyrone Lewis and Chris Pendleton lead the way for the Pokes at second, while Muhammed Lawal and Shane Roller round out the top five at three and four, respectively. Skyler Holman holds the sixth spot, while Jerrod Sanders is ranked seventh. Jake Rosholt has moved up in the rankings to eighth after upsetting Damion Hahn.
Team Rankings
This week marks the seventh week the Cowboys have been atop the rankings. Iowa comes in at second and Minnesota at third. Oklahoma and Ohio State round out the top five at fourth and fifth, respectively.
History of Cowboy Wrestling
In 83 seasons of wrestling, Oklahoma State has compiled an 862-90-20 record; a .886 winning percentage. The Cowboys have 30 national titles, which is 11 more of the next closest (Iowa). Their conference record in 43 season is a blistering 183-28-5, a .851 winning percentage. OSU owns 27 conference titles with its last one coming in 2001. Seventy-six Oklahoma State wrestlers have won 122 individual NCAA championships, and at least one individual champion has been fromm Oklahoma State in 56 of the 70 NCAA tournaments.
Haven't We Met Yet?
At 125 pounds, Iowa junior Luke Eustice is 2-0 vs. Oklahoma State senior Skyler Holman, winning a 3-1 decision in the 2002 Iowa-Oklahoma State dual and a 3-2 decision in the semifinals of the 2002 NCAA Championships. At 133, junior Johnny Thompson is 1-0 vs. Hawkeye junior Cliff Moore is 0-1, pinning him in 4:04 in the 2002 dual. At 141, Cowboy freshman Zack Esposito is 1-0 against Iowa senior Luke Moffitt, winning a 13-5 major decision at the 2002 Kaufman-Brand Open in November. At 174, Oklahoma State sophomore Chris Pendleton is 2-0 against Iowa junior Tyler Nixt, notching an 8-4 decision at the 2001 Central Missouri State Open and a 4-2 decision in sudden victory at the 2002 Kaufman-Brand Open. At 184, Hawkeye senior Jessman Smith is 1-0 vs. Cowboy redshirt freshman Jake Rosholt, winning a 4-2 decision at the 2001 Central Missouri State Open. At heavyweight, Iowa sophomore Steve Mocco is 1-0 vs. Oklahoma State junior Will Gruenwald, pinning him in 3:30 at the 2002 Kaufman-Brand Open.
