Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Win Seven Titles at Kaufman-Brand Open
November 21, 2004 | Cowboy Wrestling
Morgan was placed in the middle of the 133-pound bracket, but he did not receive a significant test until the title bout. In the finals he faced Minnesota's Mack Reiter. The match went back and forth, but Morgan was able to ride his opponent out and hold on for a 6-5 victory.
The Cowboys had the top seed in five different weight classes, and they won the title in each of those brackets.
Junior Zack Esposito had little difficulty at 149. His closest match came in the finals where he defeated sixth-ranked Jon Masa of Hofstra, 8-2.
Sophomore Johny Hendricks had to battle for his tournament title. In the semifinals, Hendricks faced Iowa's Mark Perry. The two competitors battled to a five all tie through the first three periods. In overtime, Hendricks made the first move and scored the takedown to end the match.
He faced Minnesota's Matt Nagel in the finals. Hendricks battled through another tight match and defeated Nagel, 4-3, for the title at 165.
Senior Chris Pendleton showed why he is the top ranked wrestler at 174. He did not wrestle an entire match until he reached the finals. In the finals, Pendleton met third-ranked Eric Hauan of Northern Iowa. Pendleton scored on a couple of takedowns and defeated Hauan 7-3.
Junior Jake Rosholt, like Pendleton, did not wrestle a full match until he reached the finals. He recorded three falls during the tournament, and faced Hofstra's sixth-ranked Chris Skretkowicz in the finals. Rosholt grabbed the lead early, and did not let Skretkowicz into the match. Rosholt came away with the title with an 8-4 victory over Skretkowicz.
Junior Steve Mocco won the heavyweight title. Mocco recorded a major decision over Nebraska-Omaha's Les Sigman, defending national champion in Division II.
Coleman Scott and Derrick Fleenor placed third and fifth, respectively, at 125. B.J. Jackson finished fourth at 149. Eric Dabbs and Kevin Ward finished fourth and fifth, respectively, at 157. The Cowboys had three wrestlers place in the 184-pound bracket. Jack Jensen took third, while Clay Kehrer and Rusty Blackmon finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
In the 20 & Under Division, OSU got a title and a runner-up finish. Brandon Mason recorded a fall over Nate Althoff of South Dakota State, to win the title at 165. At 157, Newly McSpadden lost in the finals to Northern Iowa's Moza Fay.
Esposito, Pendleton and Mocco will travel to Edwardsville, Ill., to compete in the Marines/NWCA All-Star Classic on Monday, Nov. 22.
Open Division
Finals
133- Nathan Morgan (OSU) dec. Mack Reiter (Minn), 6-5
149- Zack Esposito (OSU) dec. Jon Masa (Hofstra), 8-2
165- Johny Hendricks (OSU) dec. Matt Nagel (Minn), 4-3
174- Chris Pendleton (OSU) dec. Eric Hauan (UNI), 7-3
197- Jake Rosholt (OSU) dec. Chris Skretkowicz (Hofstra), 8-4
285- Steve Mocco (OSU) maj. dec. Les Sigman (UNO), 12-3
Third-Place
125- Coleman Scott (OSU) fall Bryce Abbey (UNK), 3:02
149- Ty Eustice (Iowa) dec. B.J. Jackson (OSU), 3-1
157- Chris Bitteto (UNI) dec. Eric Dabbs (OSU), 6-2
184- Jack Jensen (OSU) dec. Clay Kehrer (OSU), 5-3
Fifth-Place
125- Derrick Fleenor (OSU) dec. Chad Sportelli (NU), 5-0
157- Kevin Ward (OSU) dec. James Strouse (Hofstra), 7-2
184- Rusty Blackmon (OSU) fall Eric Pedretti (UNI), 3:15
20 & Under Division
Finals
157- Moza Fay (UNI) fall Newly McSpadden (OSU), 3:35
165- Brandon Mason (OSU) fall Nate Althoff (SDSU), 5:32
