Oklahoma State University Athletics
Four Cowboys Make World Team
June 19, 2005 | Cowboy Wrestling
Former Oklahoma State wrestlers Muhammed Lawal and Daniel Cormier qualified for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary by winning the title at the 2005 World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa.
Lawal defeated Gator Wrestling Club team member Lee Fullhart in the final match. Fullhart advanced to the final match at 84 kg (185 lbs.) after defeating OSU's Chris Pendleton in the finals of the challenge tournament. Pendleton became a member of the world team with his second-place finish.
Cormier defeated Nick Preston to continue to dominate the 96 kg (211.5lb.) weight class. Cormier is coming off of a World Cup Championship and a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Steve Mocco earned a spot on the world team by defeating college rival Cole Konrad of Minnesota in the finals of the challenge tournament at 120 kg (264.5 lbs.). Mocco went on th face nemesis Tolly Thompson for the right to represent the U.S. at the World Championships. Thompson defeated Mocco for the second straight time.
Johnny Thompson, Zack Esposito and Johny Hendricks also wrestled and all three suffered early defeats and were eliminated from the trials.
The World Championships will be held in Budapest, Hungary in September.
