Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Claim Third Consecutive Title at National Duals
January 24, 2005 | Cowboy Wrestling
The Cowboys were trailing 15-13 heading into Jake Rosholt's match at 197. Rosholt controlled Tyrone Byrd from the beginning, and was never in doubt of losing the match.
After the Cowboys took the lead, they felt pretty good about their chances up by two and Mocco still left to wrestle.
Mocco and Rosholt were not the only stars for the Cowboys. OSU was starting to look vulnerable after Ronnie Delk lost a tight overtime match to Cassio Pero, and the Cowboys fell behind 9-0.
It was all OSU after that point. Zack Esposito put the Cowboys on the board with an 11-1 major decision over Anton Dietzen. Kevin Ward lost on riding time to second-ranked Alex Tirapelle, and OSU trailed 12-4.
Johny Hendricks, who was doubtful with a sore hamstring that he aggravated the night before against Troy Letters, had a gutty performance against Donnie Reynolds.
Hendricks trailed the match 3-0 at the start of the third period. Hendricks got on the board with an escape after he started down. Reynolds tried to stall his way through the period and picked up a couple of stalling warnings in the process. Hendricks pulled out the match with a late takedown to make it 12-7.
Chris Pendleton, Division I's Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament, was not on the mat for very long. Pendleton locked up fifth-ranked Pete Freidl, and used an inside trip to take him straight to his back. Pendleton pinned Friedl in 1:04 to give the Pokes a 13-12 lead over the Illini.
Brian Glynn gave the Illini the lead right back, but OSU was too strong at the final two weights and pulled out the 22-15 victory.
Oklahoma State will return to action on Thursday night against against fourth-ranked Iowa State at 7 p.m. and on Friday night against Northern Iowa. Both matches can be heard live on 93.7 FM or online at www.okstate.com.
No. 1 Oklahoma State 22, No. 2 Illinois 15
125- Kyle Ott (Ill) Dec. Coleman Scott (OSU), 6-4
133- Mark Jayne (Ill) Dec. Nathan Morgan (OSU), 7-6
141- Cassio Pero (Ill) Dec. Ronnie Delk (OSU), 5-3 TB2
149- Zack Esposito (OSU) M. Dec. Anton Dietzen (Ill), 11-1
157- Alex Tirapelle (Ill) Dec. Kevin Ward (OSU), 2-1
165- Johny Hendricks (OSU) Dec. Donnie Reynolds (Ill), 5-3
174- Chris Pendleton (OSU) Fall Pete Friedl (Ill), 1:04
184- Brian Glynn (Ill) Dec. Clay Kehrer (OSU), 6-2
197- Jake Rosholt (OSU) Dec. Tyrone Byrd (Ill), 6-2
285- Steve Mocco (OSU) Fall Mike Behnke (Ill), 1:18
