Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Ranked Fifth In WIN Magazine's Preseason Wrestling Rankings
October 03, 2007 | Cowboy Wrestling
Wrestling International Newsmagazine (WIN Magazine) released its preseason NCAA Division I wrestling rankings for the 2007-08 season today and has Oklahoma State ranked fifth. Cowboy senior Coleman Scott is the top-ranked wrestler in the nation at the 133-pound weight class, according to the magazine.
The Cowboys compiled a 14-5 dual meet record last year and finished fifth at the NCAA Championships. Coach John Smith returns a trio of 2007 All-America selections in Scott, senior Nathan Morgan (ranked third in the 141-pound weight class in WIN Magazine's 2007-08 preseason rankings) and junior Brandon Mason, who is No. 3 in the preseason 174-pound weight class rankings by WIN Magazine. Other NCAA qualifiers returning for Oklahoma State this year include sophomore Jared Rosholt, senior Jack Jensen, junior Newly McSpadden and sophomore Tyler Shinn. WIN Magazine ranked Rosholt as the preseason No. 11 heavyweight, tabbed McSpadden as the No. 18 wrestler in the nation at 157, ranked Jensen 18th nationally at 184 pounds and ranked Shinn No. 9 in the 125-pound weight class.
The NCAA runner-up at 133 pounds last year, Scott is a three-time All-America selection and has a chance to become the 12th Cowboy in history to earn All-America honors in each of his four years in Stillwater. Scott compiled a 30-4 overall record in 2007 that included 11 wins over ranked opponents. He knocked off top-ranked Nick Simmons of Michigan State at last year's NCAA Championships.
A two-time All-America honoree, Morgan looks to make it three straight All-America honors when he takes the mat in the 2007-08 season. A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Morgan sported a 19-5 overall record last year that included nine wins over ranked opponents.
Coming off a 2006-07 season in which he compiled a 27-13 overall record and finished fifth at the NCAA Championships, Mason has seen his stock jump dramatically. He finished last year ranked No. 13 at the 174 pound weight class but spiked to No. 3 in WIN Magazine's preseason rankings.
Reigning NCAA team champion Minnesota holds the preseason No. 1 ranking, followed by Iowa State, Iowa, Cornell and Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have dual meets scheduled this year against the top-ranked Gophers, No. 2 Iowa State, No. 3 Iowa, No. 6 Missouri, No. 7 Nebraska and No. 12 Penn State to go with the annual home-and-home Bedlam Series against No. 17 Oklahoma.
With 34 NCAA team championships, the Oklahoma State wrestling program has won more NCAA team titles than any program at any school in the country. The Cowboys have won four of the last five national championships, with coach John Smith guiding his alma mater to five NCAA titles during his 16-year coaching career.
Oklahoma State opens the 2007-08 season when they compete at the Omaha Open on Sun., Nov. 17 in Omaha, Neb.
WIN Magazine Preseason Top 25
1. Minnesota
2. Iowa State
3. Iowa
4. Cornell
5. Oklahoma State
6. Missouri
7. Nebraska
8. Ohio State
9. Michigan
10. Central Michigan
11. Northwestern
12. Penn State
13. Wisconsin
14. Illinois
15. Indiana
16. Edinboro
17. Oklahoma
18. Hofstra
19. Tennessee-Chattanooga
19. Navy
21. Penn
22. Lehigh
23. Boise State
24. Arizona State
25. Oregon State
OSU Individual Rankings
125 pounds
No. 9 Tyler Shinn (OSU)
133 pounds
No. 1 Coleman Scott (OSU)
141 pounds
No. 3 Nathan Morgan (OSU)
157 pounds
No. 18 Newly McSpadden (OSU)
174 pounds
No. 3 Brandon Mason (OSU)
184 pounds
No. 17 Jack Jensen (OSU)
Heavyweight
No. 11 Jared Rosholt (OSU)
