Oklahoma State University Athletics
No. 1 OSU Prepares for No. 2 Nebraska
February 04, 2004 | Cowboy Wrestling
Oklahoma State's wrestling team hosts the University of Nebraska Saturday night inside Gallagher-Iba Arena at 7 p.m. The dual will feature the country's top two collegiate wrestling teams, according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. The Cowboys improved to 4-1 in conference and 14-1 overall with a 27-6 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones last weekend. The Huskers are 15-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, but will wrestle ISU Feb. 5 before coming to Stillwater. OSU and Nebraska have met 47 times previously, with the Cowboys winning 44 of the matches. There has been one tie in the series, which came during the 1995-96 season at the National Duals.
On Nebraska
Nebraksa returns six NCAA qualifiers, including All-American Jason Powell, from a team that placed 13th a year ago. The Huskers enter the dual with nine wrestlers ranked in the top 20 of their respective weight classes. Leading the way is Jason Powell at 125 pounds. The top-ranked senior from Midwest City, Okla., is currently 16-1 on the year. Head Coach Mark Manning returns for his fourth season at the helm of Husker wrestling. Manning has built up a 50-23 record in the three season at NU, including this years record.
The Marquee Matchups
During the dual this Saturday, there will be a pair of top five matchups at 149 and 184 pounds. At 149 pounds, OSU's Zack Esposito enters the dual with a 24-1 record and a is ranked second, while Travis Schufelt is ranked third with a 23-1 record. Jake Rosholt and Travis Pascoe both enter the dual ranked third and fourth, respectively, at 184 pounds. Rosholt is currently 14-2 on the season, while Pascoe is yet to see defeat in 23 matches. Also, at 133 pounds is a top 10 matchup featuring fifth-ranked Johnny Thompson and ninth-ranked Matt Keller. Thompson is coming off an 8-3 upset over then second-ranked Zach Roberson to improve to 19-5 on the year. Keller is a redshirt-freshman from McDonald, Tenn., and is 23-7 on the year.
Lewis, Pendleton Record Victories at NWCA All-Star Match
Oklahoma State's Tyrone Lewis and Chris Pendleton each recorded a pair of victories at the 38th annual NWCA All-Star match in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the University of Northern Iowa.  Lewis, who is ranked second at 165 pounds, avenged a loss in last year's NCAA tournament to Edinboro's third-ranked Matt King. The El Reno, Okla., native scored the only takedown of the match in the first period, and held off to win 3-2. Top-ranked Pendleton squared off with Purdue's Ryan Lange at 174 pounds. The two traded escapes in the second and third period to send it into overtime. Lange went in deep on a shot but Pendleton countered to score the takedown, and lock the victory.
