Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Nebraska
Cowboy Wrestling Whips Nebraska, 24-12
February 22, 2002 | Cowboy Wrestling
Feb. 22, 2002
Oklahoma State's fourth-ranked wrestling team closed out the regular season on Friday by defeating Nebraska 24-12 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb.
"I don't think we are ready to battle," head coach John Smith said. "I felt like we didn't come away from the week with the work ethic we needed to. You have to give them credit. They are talented at a lot of weights."
The Cowboys (20-3, 5-0) jumped to an early 3-0 lead when junior Jerrod Sanders decisioned Travis Shufelt at 149 pounds. Sanders scored two quick takedowns in the first period before defeating Shufelt 7-4 to improve to 21-8 on the year.
The Huskers (8-9, 0-4) tied the team score at three after NU's top-ranked Bryan Snyder defeated the Cowboys' fourth-ranked Shane Roller, 10-6, at 157 pounds.
OSU exteneded its lead to 9-3 after second-ranked Tyrone Lewis (25-2) pinned Jason High (4-16) in :59 seconds.
NU cut the lead to 9-6 after No. 19 Tony Denke (16-7) defeated No. 10 Ty Wilcox (19-6) at 174 pounds. Denke recorded two takedowns and a three-point nearfall before decisioning Wilcox 8-3.
The Huskers then tied the score at 9-9 after No. 14 Travis pascoe defeated No. 8 Pat Popolizio, 7-1, at 184 pounds.
NU took its first lead of the dual after No. 10 Justin Ruiz defeated No. 11 Willie Gruenwald, 2-0 at 197 pounds.
The Cowboys jumped out in front 15-12 after No. 18 James Huml recorded an early takedown before pinning Mitch Manstedt in 1:57 to improve to 23-9.
OSU extended its lead to 18-12 after seventh-ranked Skyler Holman defeated ninth-ranked Jason Powell, 7-4. Holman took an early 2-0 lead before Powell tied the score at 2-2 heading into the second period.
After exchanging reversals, Holman then recorded a reversal late in the second period before recording the decision to improve to 21-3.
Sophomore Johnny Thompson (30-2) clinched the victory for the Cowboys after defeating Joey Malia (13-9) at 133 pounds. The All-American recorded three takedowns before recording the 10-6 decision.
Freshman Ronnie Delk closed out the dual by decisioning Dusty Spaulding 5-3 in sudden victory. Delk (18-11) fell behind 1-2 in the second before recording a late takedown in the second to grab the 3-2 lead.
Spaulding (15-12) tied the score at 3-3 after recording an escape in the third period. Delk then recorded a takedown with :12 seconds left in sudden victory to give the Cowboys the 24-12 win.
The Cowboys return to action on March 9 as they travel to Norman, Okla., to defend their Big 12 Championship title.
Results 149- Sanders (O) dec.Shufelt (N), 7-4 157- Snyder (N) dec. Roller (O), 10-6 165- Lewis (O) fall High (N), :56 174- Denk (N) dec. Wilcox (O), 8-3 184- Pascoe (N) dec. Popolizio (O), 7-1 197- Ruiz (N) dec. Gruenwald (O), 2-0 Hwt- Huml (O) fall Mansteadt (N), 1:57 125- Holman (O) dec. Powell (N), 7-4 133- Thompson (O) dec. Malia (N), 10-6 141- Delk (O) dec. Spaulding (N), 5-3 s.v.
