Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Ropes Sooners, 38-3
February 23, 2003 | Cowboy Wrestling
Feb. 23, 2003
Oklahoma State's wrestling team moved to 5-0 in conference after blistering Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon in front of 8,606 fans.
The Cowboys, now 16-0, won nine of the 10 bouts en route to a 38-3 whipping over the Sooners. OU dropped to 12-8 on the year and 1-4 in conference.
"When you go out there and have those two forfeits, you look to see your team go out and follow through with that," Head Coach John Smith said. "Knowing ahead of time that your going to win, instinct is to lose your edge a little.
"It was good to see that we didn't lose that edge, and we went out and wrestled our individual matches," Smith said. "You have to go out there and win each match, and I think we did a good job of that."
Chris Pendleton began the scoring spree for the Cowboys, opening the dual with a 5-3 decision over Robbie Waller. The win marked the third win over Waller this season.
OU forfeited 184 and 197 pounds to increase the Cowboy lead to 15-0.
Skyler Holman notched his first top 20 victory this season after defeating nemesis Bo Maynes, 3-1. Holman and Maynes were knotted at 1-1 after each wrestler recorded an escape.
With :14 left in the third period, Holman recorded a takedown to grab the win.
Johnny Thompson blitzed Daniel Caruthers, using six takedowns and a two-point nearfall en route to a 16-4 major decision.
The Cowboys, who had a 27-1 takedown advantage over OU, took a 25-0 lead heading into the intermission.
"We have a complete squad, from 125 to heavyweight," Smith said. "This team has taken steps toward the things we want to accomplish. We have to get better as a team, and individually continue to build confidence knowing we can do a couple of things. One is we have to wrestle hard for seven minutes, and the other is scoring points."
The featured match highlighted two of the nation's premier wrestlers at 141 pounds. OSU's Zack Esposito entered the match ranked first by Amateur Wrestling News, while OU's Teyon Ware came in at third.
The true freshmen battled it out to a scoreless first period. Esposito got on the board first with an escape to start the second period.
Ware came out roaring out in the third period, recording a reversal and two nearfall points to take a 4-1 advantage. Esposito cut the lead to 4-3 but that was not enough as Ware went on to record the victory.
Ronnie Delk came out cruising, recording six takedowns en route to a 14-6 major decision over Danny Rubenstein, to extend the Cowboy lead to 29-3.
Shane Roller used a takedown and a three-point nearfall in the first period before cruising to a 9-3 decision over Rafael Maturino.
Tyrone Lewis notched the dual's only fall. Lewis stormed out to a 8-3 at the end of the first period after notching four takedowns.
The El Reno, Okla., native didn't let up as he recorded four takedowns in the second period to increase his lead to 16-7.
Lewis notched his ninth takedown of the match before turning Roberts over to record the pin at 6:01.
The Cowboys will return to action on Feb. 28 as they host Michigan State in Gallagher-Iba at 7 p.m.
Results OSU 38 OU 3174- Chris Pendleton (OSU) dec. Robbie Waller (OU), 5-3 184- Jake Rosholt (OSU) forfeit 197- Muhammed Lawal (OSU) forfeit 285- Willie Gruenwald (OSU) dec. Jake Hager (OU), 6-4 125- Skyler Holman (OSU) dec. Bo Maynes (OU), 3-1 133- Johnny Thompson (OSU) vs. Daniel Caruthers (OU), 16-4 141- Teyon Ware (OU) dec. Zack Esposito (OSU), 4-3 149- Ronnie Delk (OSU) m.d. Danny Rubenstein (OU), 14-6 157- Shane Roller (OSU) dec. Rafael Maturino (OU), 9-3 165- Tyrone Lewis (OSU) fall Wes Roberts (OU), 6:01
