Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Wrestling Drops Lehigh, 25-12
February 16, 2004 | Cowboy Wrestling
In the highly anticipated matchup at 165 pounds where top-ranked Troy Letters and second-ranked Tyrone Lewis faced off in a rematch of last year's NCAA semifinal round. Lewis struck first with an ankle pick on the edge of the mat for a 2-0 lead in the first. Letters escaped to cut the lead in half before the end of one period.
The El Reno, Okla., native then scored a reversal and a pair of back points to extend his lead to 6-2 after a Letters escape. In the third period, Lewis had a 6-3 lead before Letters recorded his only takedown at the edge of the mat to get within one.
Lewis recorded an escape to build his lead to 7-5. Letters would not come any closer as Lewis held on to win 8-5 with riding time, to avenge his semifinal loss last year.
Chris Pendleton avenged his loss in the quarterfinals to Brad Dillon with a 7-5 victory. Pendleton took a 2-1 lead into the second period, and then built on his lead to 5-2 after an escpae and a takedown.
Dillon would tie the match with an escape and a takedown in the third period, but that would not be enough as Pendleton held on to take the match.
The dual started at 125 pounds where Derek Stevens recorded his first home victory with a 3-2 victory over No. 18 Mario Stuart. Stevens' victory gave OSU a 3-0 lead. The Cowboys extended their lead to 6-0 with Johnny Thompson's victory over Matt Ciasulli.
Thompson scored a pair of reversals before scoring his only takedown of the match to down Ciasulli, 7-5.
Lehigh cut the lead to 6-3 with Cory Cooperman's second-period ride out to help him defeat Ronnie Delk, 3-2. OSU then built on its lead to 10-3 after Zack Esposito cruised to a 17-7 major decision over Matt Anderson.
At 157 pounds, Johny Hendricks scored the only takedown en route to a 5-2 victory over Derek Zinck, to extend the Cowboy lead to 13-3.
With victories at 165 and 174 pounds, the Cowboys extended their lead to 19-3. Lehigh recorded it second win of the afternoon after Travis Frick scored a pair of takedowns in the third period to knock off Jake Rosholt 6-5.
The Mountain Hawks picked up a fall at 197 pounds when Matt Cassidy pinned Rusty Blackmon in 4:29. Blackmon had the lead but Cassidy threw Blackmon on his back for the takedown and the fall.
Will Gruenwald ended the dual by pinning Paul Weibel in 1:13. Gruenwald used a lateral drop before flattening Weibel, to give the Cowboys their second bonus-point win of the day.
OSU ends its regular season Sunday, Feb. 22 with a 2 p.m. tilt against Minnesota. During the dual, Stillwater National Bank will pay the tuition for an OSU student up to $1,600 for the spring 2004 semester. The winner may also shoose a $1,000 cash payment.
Everyone is eligible to enter, excluding student-athletes, SNB employees, athletic department employees or relavtives of employees. You must be present at the wrestling match to win.
Results OSU 25 LU 12 125 - Derek Stevens (OSU) dec. Mario Stuart (LU), 3-2 133 - Johnny Thompson (OSU) dec. Matt Ciasulli (LU), 7-5 141 - Cory Cooperman (LU) dec. Ronnie Delk (OSU), 3-2 149 - Zack Esposito (OSU) m.d. Matt Anderson (LU), 17-7 157 - Johny Hendricks (OSU) dec. Derek Zinck (LU), 5-2 165 - Tyrone Lewis (OSU) dec. Troy Letters (LU), 8-5 174 - Chris Pendleton (OSU) dec. Brad Dillon (LU), 7-5 184 - Travis Frick (LU) dec. Jake Rosholt (OSU), 6-5 197 - Matt Cassidy (LU) fall Rusty Blackmon (OSU), 4:29 285 - Will Gruenwald (OSU) fall Paul Weibel (LU), 1:13
