Cowboys Set for Final Duals of the Season Against North Carolina and Penn State

Friday, February 19

Stillwater, OK

7:00:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

North Carolina

Cowboys Set for Final Duals of the Season Against North Carolina and Penn State

February 17, 2016 | Cowboy Wrestling

WR Notes - UNC and Penn State

The Basics
The No. 3 Cowboys will close out the dual season this weekend with another home and away weekend. On Friday, the Pokes will host the 14th-ranked Tar Heels in their last home dual at 7 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena. On Sunday, OSU will travel to State College, Pa., to face top-ranked Penn State in the NWCA Bowl Dual Series championship match at 4 p.m. CT.

Live Stats And Play-by-Play
Fans can follow the action online through live results and play-by-play on www.trackwrestling.com. Simply go to the site and the link to live results and play-by-play will be prominently displayed.

Watch the Duals Live
The dual vs. North Carolina will be streamed live online at flowrestling.org, a subscription based service. To easily access the events, fans can visit flowrestling.org and the banner will be prominently displayed. The dual vs. Penn State will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Check with your cable provider for BTN availability.

Listen to the Duals Live
Fans can listen to both duals live on 93.7 KSPI-FM or okstate.com with Rex Holt and Roger Moore on the call.

100 Years of Greatness
Oklahoma State wrestling is celebrating 100 years of history this season. The Cowboys, then known as the Oklahoma A&M Tigers and led by A.M. Colville, wrestled their first match in 1915 against the University of Texas. It was a rough start for OSU as it fell to the Longhorns in its lone dual of the season. But the Cowboys pulled through and went on to win 34 NCAA team championships (the most by any school in any sport), 139 individual champions and 444 All-Americans. Overall, the Cowboys hold an incredibly impressive 1,078-124-23 overall record.

John Smith Enters 25th Year as OSU Head Coach
Not only did John Smith leave his legacy on Oklahoma State wrestling as a competitor, Smith continues to do so as he begins his 25th year as the head coach of the Cowboy wrestling team. In 1992, John Smith, along with Kenny Monday, took over as co-head coaches for the squad, and Smith took over on his own in 1993. Since taking over, Smith has led his squad to five NCAA team championships and 17 conference championships. He leads all active coaches in NCAA champions coached (29), and has also seen his wrestlers earn All-American honors 111 times. He is the Cowboys' winningest coach with a 383-58-6 record entering the weekend.

In the Polls
Oklahoma State moved up one spot to No. 3 in the USA Today/NWCA/Division I Coaches Poll and remained No. 2 in the Intermat rankings.
The Cowboys are the top-ranked team from the Big 12 in both the USA Today/NWCA/Division I Coaches Poll and the Intermat rankings. Behind them is Oklahoma at No. 10 and No. 17, respectively.
Nine of the Cowboys' potential starters are ranked among the top 20 in the nation at their respective weight classes in at least one poll, including a No. 1 rankings in all four polls for two-time national champion Alex Dieringer (165) and 2015 All-American Dean Heil (141). Five other Pokes are ranked in the top-10 in at least one poll: Eddie Klimara (125), Joe Smith (157), Kyle Crutchmer (174), Nolan Boyd (184) and Austin Marsden (285).
North Carolina is ranked No. 14 in the dual rankings and No. 11 in the tournament rankings. Leading the way for the Tar Heels is No. 2 Ethan Ramos. The Penn State Nittany Lions are the top-ranked team in both polls with four No. 1 wrestlers in Zain Retherford (149), Jason Nolf (157), Bo Nickal (174) and Morgan McIntosh (197).

Connections
Gallagher-Iba Arena will play host to two former Cowboy wrestlers-turned-coaches this weekend.

Coleman Scott was a four-time All-American and NCAA champion for the Pokes in 2008. Upon graduating, he began training and coaching under John Smith. In 2012, Scott won an Olympic bronze medal in the London Games. Scott is now in his first year as the head coach of the Tar Heels.
UNC assistant coach Neil Erisman is also a product of the Oklahoma State wrestling program. Erisman was a three-year letterwinner and was a Big 12 Champion in 2011, his senior year.

Good Ride, Cowboys
Oklahoma State wrestling will honor three Cowboy seniors on Friday night prior to the dual against North Carolina
Alex Dieringer, a native of Port Washington, Wisc., is a two-time NCAA champion and three-time Big 12 champion, competing at 157 and 165 pounds. He has written himself into the history books, holding the fifth-best win streak, fifth-best win percentage and seventh-best win record in program history. The Cowboy has spent the last two years as the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class and is favored for a third national championship. He has compiled a 123-4 overall record with 90 bonus points. Dieringer has also amassed more than 60 dual wins in his incredible career as a Cowboy.
Eddie Klimara hails from Joliet, Ill., and has been a crucial part of the Cowboy Wrestling squad, competing at 125 pounds. Boasting a 100-36 career record, the Cowboy is a 2015 All-American and a two-time Big 12 Champion. During his time as a Cowboy, he has won 43 duals for the Cowboys and earned 49 bonus-point wins.
Also coming to the squad from Illinois, Austin Marsden has been one of the most successful heavyweights for the Pokes. He looks for his 100th career win on Friday as he sits at 99-19 overall. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native earned All-American status in 2014 and is a two-time Big 12 champion. He has also been ranked in the top-five all season.

Welcome to the 100 Club, Mr. Klimara
Senior Eddie Klimara joined the Oklahoma State 100-Win Club last weekend with his win over No. 15 Connor Schram of Stanford in an exciting overtime bout. Klimara holds a 100-36 career record. He is the second current Cowboy to join the club as Alex Dieringer closed out his junior campaign with his 100th win.

75 and Counting
Senior Austin Marsden is just one win away from earning his 100th career win and he will look to do so on Senior Night against North Carolina on Friday. Marsden is currently 99-19 in his career.
Marsden earned his 75th win when he defeated AJ Vizcarrondo of West Virginia in the heavyweight finals of the Big 12 Championship, 7-0.

NWCA National Duals
After rising to No. 3 in the USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll, Oklahoma State's wrestling team was selected by the NWCA to compete against No. 1 Penn State in the championship match of the NWCA Bowl Dual Series, which will take place on Sunday at 4 p.m. CT. It was announced Monday.
Since a loss to North Carolina State in early-December, the Cowboys have been on a 10-match win streak and hold a 12-2 record. The Nittany Lions finished their regular season unbeaten with a 15-0 record and a 9-0 mark in Big Ten competition.
The Bowl Dual Series features the top-eight Big Ten programs each hosting a non-Big Ten school in a weekend of dual competition.

Last Time vs. North Carolina
No. 6 Oklahoma State 23, North Carolina 9
Feb. 22, 2015 :: Eddie Smith Field House (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Match started at 174 pounds
174: No. 11 Kyle Crutchmer (OSU) dec. John Staudenmayer (UNC), 4-2 TB1
184: No. 18 Nolan Boyd (OSU) dec. Scott Marmoll (UNC), 8-2
197: Chip Ness (UNC) dec. Luke Bean (OSU), 9-7 SV1
285: No. 5 Austin Marsden (OSU) dec. Frank Abbondanza (UNC), 3-2
125: No. 8 Eddie Klimara (OSU) MD Cody Karns (UNC), 15-3
133: Gary Wayne Harding (OSU) dec. Troy Heilmann (UNC), 6-4
141: No. 19 Joey Ward (UNC) dec. No. 15 Dean Heil (OSU), 3-2
149: Joey Moon (UNC) dec. Davey Dolan (OSU), 8-3
157: No. 16 Anthony Collica (OSU) dec. Chris Mears (UNC), 11-4
165: No. 1 Alex Diernger (OSU) MD No. 12 Ethan Ramos (UNC), 17-6

Last Time vs. Penn State
No. 7 Oklahoma State 21, No. 5 Penn State 18
Feb. 15, 2015 :: Gallagher-Iba Arena :: Attendance - 4,691
125: No. 9 Eddie Klimara (OSU) dec. No. 8 Jordan Conaway (PSU), 8-7
133: No. 5 James Gulibon (PSU) fall Gary Wayne Harding (OSU), 3:32
141: No. 15 Dean Heil (OSU) dec. Kade Moss (PSU), 8-5 TB1
149: No. 18 Zack Beitz (PSU) fall No. 4 Josh Kindig (OSU), 3:17
157: No. 18 Anthony Collica (OSU) TF5 No. 8 Dylan Alton (PSU), 24-9
165: No. 1 Alex Dieringer (OSU) MD No. 18 Garrett Hammond (PSU), 14-4
174: No. 2 Matt Brown (PSU) dec. No. 11 Kyle Crutchmer (OSU), 9-7 SV1
184: No. 18 Nolan Boyd (OSU) dec. No. 19 Matt McCutcheon (PSU), 4-0
197: No. 4 Morgan McIntosh (PSU) dec. Luke Bean (OSU), 6-1
285: No. 5 Austin Marsden (OSU) dec. Jon Gingrich (PSU), 4-3

Another Redshirt Pulled
Cowboy Wrestling coach John Smith has pulled three true freshmen from their redshirts so far this season. Most recently, his son Joe made his varsity debut in the dual against West Virginia. Smith also pulled freshman Andrew Marsden's redshirt on Jan. 1 as Marsden competed as an attached member of the Oklahoma State team at the Southern Scuffle. The Illinois native went 1-2 at the event. Earlier this season, Smith pulled Kaid Brock's redshirt in the dual versus Oklahoma. Brock won his first match in the lineup for the Cowboys with a 42-second fall over OU's defending national champion and No. 2-ranked Cody Brewer.

Dieringer's Streak
Two-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer is in the midst of a 72-match win streak, dating back to January 2014. Last season he compiled a perfect 33-0 overall record and currently holds a 23-0 mark in 2015-16. Dieringer sits at fourth all-time for unbeaten streaks in program history. He is two wins away from matching three-time NCAA champion Mike Sheet's record with 74.

OSU Statistical Leaders
Overall Wins:                            27, Joe Smith
Dual Wins:                                14, Alex Dieringer and Dean Heil
Bonus Point Wins:                     20, Alex Dieringer
Wins by Fall:                             12, Chandler Rogers
Wins by Technical Fall:             6, Kaid Brock and Eddie Klimara
Wins by Major Decision:            6, Alex Dieringer and Joe Smith
Dual Takedowns:                       42, Alex Dieringer
Dual Nearfalls:                         13, Austin Marsden

FloWrestling, Oklahoma State Sign Live Streaming Agreement
Oklahoma State and FloWrestling announced in late- November a three-year live streaming agreement in which FloWrestling will become the Cowboys' exclusive streaming partner. The agreement includes all of OSU's home duals, with the exception of the Bedlam dual on Feb. 5.
Remaining 2015-16 Oklahoma State Home Schedule Live On Flo
Feb. 19 - North Carolina

Last Time Out - Army
No. 4 Oklahoma State 36, Army 3
Feb. 12, 2016 :: Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater, Okla) :: Attendance – 4,362
125: No. 6 Eddie Klimara (OSU) TF Jacob Fontanez (ARMY), 15-0 (3:58)
133: Gary Wayne Harding (OSU) dec. Austin Harry (ARMY), 10-3
141: No.1 Dean Heil (OSU) dec. Logan Everett (ARMY), 7-2
149: No. 13 Anthony Collica (OSU) fall Mark Marchetti (ARMY), 6:05
157: Russell Parsons dec. Ryan Blees (OSU), 10-4
165: No. 1 Alex Dieringer (OSU) fall Andrew Mendel (ARMY), 6:59
174: Chandler Rogers (OSU) dec. No. 18 Brian Harvey (ARMY), 11-8
184: No. 14 Nolan Boyd (OSU) dec. Samson Imonode (ARMY), 10-3
197: Preston Weigel (OSU) dec. Bryce Barnes (ARMY), 10-8
285: No. 5 Austin Marsden (OSU) MD Trevor Smith (ARMY), 12-3

Last Time Out – Stanford
No. 4 Oklahoma State 41, Stanford 0
Feb. 14, 2016 :: Gallagher-Iba Arena :: Attendance – 2,188
Referee: Rick Fink
125: No. 6 Eddie Klimara (OSU) dec. No. 15 Connor Schram (STAN), 3-1 SV1
133: Gary Wayne Harding (OSU) dec. Mason Pengilly (STAN), 7-2
141: No. 1 Dean Heil (OSU) dec.No.2 Joey McKenna (STAN), 3-1 SV1
149: No. 13 Anthony Collica (OSU) fall Tommy Pawelski (STAN), 2:20
157: Hestin Lamons (OSU) fall Nainoa Calvo (STAN), 1:37
165: No. 1 Alex Dieringer (OSU) MD No. 18 Jim Wilson (STAN), 13-5
174: Chandler Rogers (OSU) TF Dylan Morris (STAN), 18-3; 6:46
184: No. 14 Nolan Boyd (OSU) dec. Garet Krohn (STAN), 4-1
197: Andrew Marsden (OSU) TF Zach Nevills (STAN), 17-0; 6:17
285: No. 5 Austin Marsden (OSU) dec. No. 20 Nathan Butler (STAN), 3-1 SV1

Four Cowboys Qualify for Olympic Trials
Eight former Cowboys competed at the US Open last month, which served as a qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympic Trials. Four Pokes earned top-seven finishes, securing them a spot for the Trials. Chris Perry, a two-time NCAA champion, took second at 74 kilograms. Also qualifying is 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Coleman Scott (57 kg), Tyler Caldwell (86 kg) and Clayton Foster (86 kg).

Historical Grapple on the Gridiron
Oklahoma State opened the season with a trip to Iowa City to take on the then-No.4 Hawkeyes in a dual that was tabbed as the Grapple on the Gridiron, which marked the first time in NCAA history two wrestling programs competed outside at a Division I football stadium. The dual shattered the NCAA dual attendance record, previously held by Penn State (15,996 vs. Pitt in 2013), with 42,287 tickets sold.

Crutchmer, Heil Compete at NWCA All-Star Classic
Returning All-Americans Kyle Crutchmer and Dean Heil were selected to compete in the NWCA All-Star Classic, which was held on Nov. 1 in Atlanta at Georgia Tech University.
Heil fell in the final seconds of a tight, high-scoring bout against 133-pound 2015 NCAA champion Cody Brewer, 13-12.
Crutchmer also fell in a close one, 2-1 to Zach Epperly of Virginia at 174 pounds.
Alex Dieringer was also invited to compete, but was not able to make it to the competition.

All in the Family
This season's squad features four sets of brothers and a father-son combo.
Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brian and Kyle Crutchmer are both juniors for the Pokes. Kyle is a 174-pound starter, Big 12 Champion and NCAA All-American. Brian is a letterwinner at 133 pounds, who has made five starts. Andrew and Austin Marsden came to OSU from Illinois. Austin, a senior, is the Cowboys' starting heavyweight, who has won two Big 12 titles and was a 2014 All-American. Andrew is a freshman this season. Dalton and Tristan Moran are originally from Arizona. Dalton transferred to OSU last season from South Dakota State, Tristan is a freshman this year. The Rogers brothers, Chandler and Jordan, round out the group of brothers. Both are fighting for starting spots at 174 pounds and 184 pounds, respectively.
Coach John Smith and son Joe, who is a freshman for the Pokes, make up an exciting father-son duo. Under his father's direction, Joe is 27-3 on the season.

Signing Day Recap
In mid-November, John Smith announced the signing of three wrestlers during the 2015 early signing period. Signing with the Pokes are Wyatt Sheets of Oklahoma, Keegan Moore of Minnesota and Ethan Andersen of Iowa.
Son of OSU great Mike Sheets, Wyatt is a three-time state champion for Stillwell High School. Moore, a senior at Jackson County High School, is a two-time state champion and a 2014 Cadet National champion. Ethan Andersen is a two-time state champion for Southeast Polk High School and a 2014 FILA Cadet World team in Greco-Roman.

Big 12 Expansion
This year the Big 12 conference has added six new affiliate members for wrestling, bringing the conference to a total of 10 teams. Joining the Big 12 is Air Force, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.
With the addition of the new members, the Big 12 Championships will now serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2016 NCAA Championships. The conference championships will be held March 5-6, 2016 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

NCAA Implements New Rules
The NCAA implemented several new rules for the 2015-16 season. Below are a few:
• Awarding two points for a near fall if the referee reaches a two-count. Four points would be awarded if the referee reaches a four-count.
• When wrestlers interlock fingers in the neutral position, the referee will stop the action and call it stalemate, and any subsequent offenses would require the referee to call stalling on the wrestler who initiates the interlocking.
• When wrestling is stopped in the neutral standing position for going out of bounds, the referee can make one of the three following calls:
            • Stalling on one or both wrestlers for leaving the wrestling area.
            • Stalling for pushing or pulling the opponent out of bounds.
            • Wrestling action is taking place.

Look Who's Back
Returning to the Cowboy lineup for the 2015-16 season is a two-time NCAA champion, four other All-Americans and seven Big 12 champions.
Senior Alex Dieringer earned his second NCAA individual title, this time at 165 pounds, during a flawless junior campaign that saw him go 33-0, pick up his 100th career win and his third Big 12 title.
Dean Heil, a sophomore for the Pokes, grabbed his first All-America honor after finishing fourth at the 2015 NCAA Championships. Kyle Crutchmer also received All-American status in 2015, when he finished fifth at the national tournament. In addition, the junior picked up a Big 12 title at 174 pounds. Eddie Klimara claimed All-American status last season, defeating Penn State's Jordan Conaway in the seventh-place bout of the NCAA tourney. The final All-American is Austin Marsden, who finished eighth at nationals in 2014, but fell short of the podium in 2015.
NCAA qualifier and 2015 Big 12 champions Anthony Collica and Nolan Boyd are also notable returners for the Pokes.

Follow Cowboy Wrestling
Stay up to date with the Oklahoma State wrestling team on the following social media:
            Twitter: @CowboyWrestling
            Facebook: facebook.com/cowboywrestling
            Instagram: @CowboyWrestling
            Snapchat: OSUathletics
            YouTube: youtube.com/osuathletics

Buy Season Tickets
To purchase seasons tickets call 877-ALL-4-OSU (877-255-4678) or visit the ticket page on okstate.com. The cost is $75 per season ticket. This season the Cowboys will host Minnesota, Iowa State, Missouri and in-state rival Oklahoma as well as rising programs in NC State, North Carolina, Army and Stanford.

ASICS All-Americans Live Here
There are three different wrestlers on this year's Oklahoma State roster who were ASICS first-team All-Americans during their prep days:
Jordan Rogers               2012
Chance Marsteller         2014
Nick Piccininni               2014 and 2015

Fargo Champs, Too
There are four different wrestlers on this year's Oklahoma State wrestling roster who won titles at the ASICS Junior Freestyle National Championships in Fargo, N.D., during their prep days:
Alex Dieringer   2011
Jordan Rogers   2011
Anthony Collica 2012 and 2013
Joe Smith         2015

Coached by the Best
Members of the Oklahoma State wrestling staff combine for six world championships and two Olympic gold medals.
They also combine for six NCAA championships and 10 All-America honors. The breakdown:

Olympic Medalists
John Smith       1988 and 1992 Gold

Senior World Championships Medalists
John Smith       1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991 Gold

NCAA Individual Championships
John Smith       1987, 1988
Eric Guerrero     1997, 1998, 1999
Zack Esposito   2005