Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Wrestling Competes With Nation's Best
April 26, 2005 | Cowboy Wrestling
Oklahoma State continues to excel at an international level, and will be represented by 2004 U.S. National Champion Daniel Cormier at 96 kg (211.5 lbs.). Cormier finished fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and he won the World Cup in Russia in March.
Muhammed Lawal is currently ranked second freestyle wrestler in the U.S. at 84 kg (185 lbs.), and Tyrone Lewis is ranked seventh at 74 kg (163 lbs.). The top seven finishers in this event qualify for the 2005 Senior World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa from June 17-19.
Chris Pendleton, Zack Esposito and Steve Mocco are all automatic qualifiers for the World Team Trials by being NCAA Champions. Mocco is ranked second at 120 kg (264.5 lbs.) and will compete at nationals this weekend to get some matches in. Pendleton will compete at 84 kg, while Esposito will be at 66 kg (145.5 lbs.).
Also competing at senior nationals this weekend will be Johnny Thompson, Jerrod Sanders and Jack Jensen at 60 kg (132 lbs.), 66 kg and 84 kg, respectively. Jensen and Mocco are the only current Cowboys competing at nationals this weekend.
Coleman Scott will compete at 66 kg at the FILA Junior Nationals being held this weekend in Las Vegas as well.
The top wrestler in each weight class after the team trials in June will represent the United States in the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 26-28.
