Big 12 Conference
Assistant for Information Services
bo@big12sports.com
(214) 753-0109 (Direct Line)
(214) 742-1212 (Main Line)
(214) 418-6969 (Cell)
(214) 753-0145 (Fax)
www.big12sports.com
Big Ten vs Big 12 Challenge During NCAA Wrestling
USA Wrestling and the NCAA team up to hold Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge in freestyle wrestling in Omaha, Neb. on Friday, March 19
In a cooperative effort, USA Wrestling and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will present an exhibition men's freestyle wrestling dual meet as part of the NCAA Fan Festival which is held alongside the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Nebraska.
The event is called the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge and will feature wrestlers who competed for universities in these prestigious conferences as undergraduates. The competitors are now pursuing their Olympic dreams in men's freestyle wrestling.
It will be held at Exhibit Hall C of the Qwest Center Omaha on Friday, March 19 from 1:45 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. Central, as part of the annual NCAA Fan Festival. This is just a short indoor walk north from the Qwest Center Omaha, site of the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
The dual meet will be held on the mats where USA Wrestling's Team USA will hold their popular public workouts between sessions of the NCAA Division I Championships each day.
Admission to the Fan Festival is free, so there will be no charge to watch the men's freestyle action. For the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge, there will be close to 1,000 seats and many more standing room only viewing opportunities provided matside on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, as many as 1,000 fans will be able to watch the dual meet on two large projection screens flanking the main stage within the Fan Festival.
"This is a great concept," said USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. "It brings the NCAA and USA Wrestling together, with a mission to produce both the best college wrestlers as well as the world's greatest wrestlers. This event is five weeks before our U.S. Open Wrestling Championships. Our athletes will have a chance to push themselves out on the mat."
For those who cannot attend the NCAA Division I Championships in person, the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge will be webcast live on NCAA.com/wrestling and available through TheMat.com, with USA Wrestling's Jason Bryant calling the action.
The rules for the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge have been modified. Instead of having individual match winners, there will be a cumulative point total for each conference. Team scores will be based upon adding up the technical points scored in each match by the athletes. At the end of the dual meet, the points will be tallied up, and the winning conference team will be announced. Will it be the Big Ten or the Big 12 which comes out on top of this challenge match this year?
Another rule modification is that each match will consist of two, two-minute periods. There will not be any third periods contested, which is possible in an international freestyle match.
There are expected to be eight matches which count towards the team total for the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge. Two other exhibition matches are also expected to be held.
"With the cumulative scoring, it is truly a conference rivalry, not an individual rivalry. That was our goal with this competition," said Jones.
The lineups for the Big Ten team, as well as the Big 12 team, have not yet been finalized, but will be announced when they are available. The participants will all have high national rankings on Freestyle Team USA, including some athletes who have been past U.S. Olympic team members or U.S. World Team members.
This year's NCAA Fan Festival will feature wrestling exhibit booths, displays, memorabilia, interactive games, souvenirs, food and beverage sales, and a number of other featured events. In addition to the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge, the lineup Friday includes a USA Wrestling autograph session at 3:15 p.m. and the annual Semifinals Preview Show featuring Nate Carr, Scott Casber and Wade Schalles at 4 p.m. Central.
For more information on the NCAA Fan Festival at the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Nebraska, visit: NCAA.com/wrestling
Big 12 Wrestling Championship Video Coverage Available at big12sports.com
IRVING, Texas - For the first time, live video coverage of the Big 12 Wrestling Championship will be available on the Big 12 Conference's official web site, www.big12sports.com. The postseason five-team championship is scheduled for Saturday, March 8 at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla.
Preliminary action will be streamed with dual cameras so fans can view competition from both mats simultaneously. Finals will be provided courtesy of FSN, who will also be showing the event in its entirety on a tape delay basis the following week. Fans can check the Big 12 web site to see when the Championship will be shown in their area.
The championship begins Saturday with preliminary matches starting at 11 a.m. on two mats. Finals start at 7 p.m. For more information on the 2008 Big 12 Wrestling Championship, visit big12sports.com.
2008 Big 12 Wrestling Championship Pre-Seeds
Listed below is a compilation of the pre-seeds. Each weight class is listed one-seed through five-seed, with the number of votes received next to each wrestler's name. For example, if it is listed as 1. Ben Askren, MIZZ (5), it means that all five coaches voted for Askren to be the top seed in his weight class.
Seedings (Votes Received)
125 pounds
1. Paul Donahoe, NEB (3 first/2 second)
2. Joey Fio, OU (2 first/3 second)
3. Tyler Shinn, OSU (5)
4. Tyler Clark, ISU (5)
5. John Olanowski, MIZZ (5)
133 pounds
1. Coleman Scott, OSU (5)
2. Nick Fanthorpe, ISU (5)
3. Kenny Jordan, NEB (5)
4. Tyler McCormick, MIZZ (5)
5. Brian Shelton, OU (5)
141 pounds
1. Nathan Morgan, OSU (5)
2. Nick Gallick, ISU (5)
3. Mike Rowe, NEB (5)
4. Zack Bailey, OU (5)
5. Marcus Hoehn, MU (5)
149 pounds
1. Jordan Burroughs, NEB (5)
2. Josh Wagner, MIZZ (5)
3. Mitch Mueller, ISU (5)
4. Will Rowe, OU (5)
5. Ryan Freeman, OSU (5)
157 pounds
1. Michael Chandler, MIZZ (5)
2. Cyler Sanderson, ISU (5)
3. Chad Terry, OU (4 third/1 fourth)
4. Chris Oliver, NEB (3 fourth/2 fifth)
5. Newly McSpadden, OSU (3 fifth/1 fourth/1 third)
165 pounds
1. Nick Marable, MIZZ (5)
2. Jake Dieffenbach, OSU (5)
3. Stephen Dwyer, NEB (5)
4. Jon Reader, ISU (5)
5. Max Dean, OU (5)
174 pounds
1. Brandon Browne, NEB (5)
2. Brandon Mason, OSU (5)
3. Aron Scott, ISU (5)
4. James/DeVilbiss/Flynn, OU (3 fourth/2 fifth)
5. Wittmeyer/Williamson, MIZZ (3 fifth/2 fourth)
184 pounds
1. Jake Varner, ISU (5)
2. Raymond Jordan, MIZZ (5)
3. Joshua Weitzel, OU (5)
4. Vince Jones, NEB (5)
5. Jack Jensen, OSU (5)
197 pounds
1. Max Askren, MIZZ (5)
2. Joel Flaggert, OU (2 second/2 third/1 fourth)
3. Craig Brester, NEB (2 second/2 third/1 fourth)
4. David Bertolino, ISU (3 fourth/1 third/1 second)
5. Clayton Foster, OSU (5)
285 pounds
1. David Zabriskie, ISU (5)
2. Jared Rosholt, OSU (5)
3. Jon May, NEB (5)
4. Mark Ellis, MIZZ (5)
5. Nathan Fernandez, OU (5)
Iowa State's Sanderson Named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week
IRVING, Texas - Cyler Sanderson has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for his pin of Northern Iowa's Jarion Beets Sunday in Cedar Falls, the conference announced Monday afternoon. Sanderson receives this recognition for the first time in his career.
Sanderson helped lead the No. 2 Cyclones past No. 25 Northern Iowa, 29-10, for ISU's seventh dual win of the season. The sophomore pinned Beets in 2:12, after recording two takedowns in the first period. The fall marks the first of the season for Sanderson, who is ranked No. 4 in the nation at 157 pounds. The victory keeps Sanderson unbeaten at 11-0 and pushes his career mark to 40-9. Four of Sanderson's 11 victories have resulted in bonus points (two major decisions, a technical fall and a pin).
2006
Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team Announced
DALLAS-The Big 12 Conference has named 16 student-athletes
to the 2006 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team, the league office
announced.
Among those honored, Tyler McCormick (Missouri) posted a 4.00
grade point average.
Iowa State and Oklahoma State led the conference with four selections
each. The Cyclones placed two on the first team and two on the
second team, while all of OSU's student-athletes made the first
team.
Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support
services and the media relations offices, the academic all-league
wrestling squad consisted of 11 first team members combined with
five on the second team. First team members consist of those
who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team
are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.
To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher
either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have
participated in 60 percent of his team's scheduled contests. Freshmen
and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic
residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a
minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent
of participation are also eligible.
The 2006 Big 12 Wrestling Championship is scheduled for Saturday
at Hilton Coliseum on the Iowa State University campus. Oklahoma
State has won seven of the nine previous titles (1997-98, 2000-2001,
2003-05) and added its third consecutive national crown as a member
of the Big 12 Conference last season. Oklahoma claimed the other
two conference meets in 1999 and 2002. Individually, eight of
the 10 weight class champions return to the championship field,
including 2005 Big 12 Most Outstanding Wrestler Coleman Scott
of Oklahoma State.
2006 Academic All-Big 12 wrestling Team
First Team (3.20-plus gpa; *indicates nominated with a 4.00 GPA)
Name, School Class
Major
Hometown
Ben Hanisch, Iowa State So.
Biochemisty
Waterloo, Iowa
Jason Knipp, Iowa State Jr.
Construction Engineering
Waterloo, Iowa
Chris McCormick, Missouri Sr.
Business Administration
Leawood, Kan.
Tyler McCormick, Missouri* So.
Management
Leawood, Kan.
B.J. Padden, Nebraska Sr.
Industrial Technology Education
Camp Crook, S.D.
Justin Dyer, Oklahoma Jr.
Public Administration
Olathe, Kan.
Sam Hazewinkel, Oklahoma Jr.
Communications
Pensacola, Fla.
Brandon Mason, Oklahoma State Fr.
Undeclared
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Nathan Morgan, Oklahoma State So.
Civil Engineering
Bakersfield, Calif.
Steve Mocco, Oklahoma State Sr.
Education
North Bergen, N.J.
Kevin Ward, Oklahoma State Sr.
Sociology
Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.
Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 gpa)
Name, School Class
Major
Hometown
Travis Paulson, Iowa State Jr.
Business Management
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Richard Schopf, Iowa State Jr.
Aerospace Engineering
Bondurant, Iowa
Ben Askren, Missouri Jr.
Geography
Hartland, Wis.
David Ingalls, Nebraska Sr.
Management
Hazel, S.D.
Jake Hager, Oklahoma Sr.
Finance
Perry, Okla.
Big
12 Announces wrestler of the Week For FEB. 21
DALLAS - Tyler McCormick (Missouri) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of
the Week for his performance during meets from Feb. 14-20. Pell
receives recognition for the first time in his career.
Tyler McCormick (Missouri), So., 133 Pounds, Leawood, Kan.
The No. 8 Tiger wrestling squad earned a 37-6 victory over Chattanooga
in the first of two duals. McCormick, ranked No. 16 nationally,
upset
No. 7 Matt Keller. A sophomore from Leawood, Kan., he faced a
one-point
deficit after the opening three minutes, then chose down to start
the
second period and escaped with 39 seconds left to tie the score
at two.
McCormick turned his opponent to his back with just five seconds
left in
the bout and won the match with a two-point nearfall, 4-2. In
the
second match of the day, he defeated Chris Bencivenga of UNC Greensboro
by decision, 8-4.
2005-06 Big 12 Wrestlers of the Week/Month
November - Jake Rosholt, Oklahoma State (197)
December - Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Jan. 9 - Jake Hager, Oklahoma (285)
Jan. 16 - Jacob Klein, Nebraska (174)
Jan. 24 - Nathan Morgan, Oklahoma State (133)
Jan. 30 - Dominick Moyer, Nebraska (141)
Feb. 6 - Kurt Backes, Iowa State (184)
Feb. 13 - Matt Pell, Missouri (165)
Feb. 21 - Tyler McCormick, Missouri (133)
- Big 12 -
Kelly L. Wright
Big 12 Conference
2201 Stemmons Frwy.
Dallas, TX 75207
Office: (214) 753-0140
Cell: (970) 556-2770
Big
12 Announces wrestler of the Week For FEB. 13
DALLAS Matt Pell (Missouri) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of the Week for his performance during meets from Feb. 6-13. Pell
receives recognition for the first time in his career.
Matt Pell (Missouri), Jr., 165 Pounds, Luxemburg, Wis.
Pell earned a 6-2 decision over Iowa State's No. 9 Travis
Paulson. His victory led the Tigers to a 16-15 upset of the No.
7 Cyclones. The junior opened his match with an early takedown
of Paulson. The two wrestlers traded a pair of escapes in the
second period, with Pell heading into the third period with a
3-1 lead. An escape by Paulson shortened the lead to one, but
Pell countered a takedown attempt by Paulson as time ran out and
added 1:17 of riding time to win the bout. Pell is 27-2 on the
season and is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation.
2005-06 Big 12 Wrestlers of the Week/Month
November - Jake Rosholt, Oklahoma State (197)
December - Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Jan. 9 - Jake Hager, Oklahoma (285)
Jan. 16 - Jacob Klein, Nebraska (174)
Jan. 24 - Nathan Morgan, Oklahoma State (133)
Jan. 30 - Dominick Moyer, Nebraska (141)
Feb. 6 - Kurt Backes, Iowa State (184)
Feb. 13 - Matt Pell, Missouri (165)
- Big 12 -
Kelly L. Wright
Big 12 Conference
2201 Stemmons Frwy.
Dallas, TX 75207
Office: (214) 753-0140
Cell: (970) 556-2770
Big
12 Announces wrestler of the Week For Jan. 9
DALLAS - Jake Hager (Oklahoma) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of the
Week for his performance during meets from Jan. 3-8. Hager receives
recognition for the first time in his career.
Jake Hager, Sr., 285 pounds, Oklahoma (Perry, Okla.)
The senior from Perry, Okla., went 2-0 at the Lone Star duals
this past
weekend where the Sooners defeated Clarion, Utah Valley State
and Cal
State Fullerton. Hager, ranked No. 5 nationally, pinned both opponents
in under two minutes and was awarded the Outstanding Wrestler
for the
upper weight classes.
2005-06 Big 12 Wrestlers of the Week/Month
November - Jake Rosholt, Oklahoma State (197)
December - Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Jan. 9 - Jake Hager, Oklahoma (285)
- Big 12 -
Big
12 Announces DECEMBER wrestler of the month
DALLAS - Ben Askren (Missouri) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of the
Month for his performance during meets in December. Askren receives
recognition for the second time in his career.
Ben Askren, Jr., 174 pounds, Missouri (Hartland, Wis.)
Two-time NCAA runner-up Askren posted a 14-0 record in the month
of
December and took home the 174-pound title at the Cliff Keen Las
Vegas
Invitational and Southern Scuffle. Racking up falls on the season,
Askren pinned 10 of his opponents in December and broke Missouri's
career falls record, by posting his 48th pin against Nick Padazan
of
Pittsburgh on Dec. 3.
The Big 12 will name a Wrestler of the Week starting Monday, Jan. 16.
2005-06 Big 12 Wrestlers of the Week/Month
November - Jake Rosholt, Oklahoma State (197)
December - Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Big
12 Announces the November wrestler of the month
DALLAS - Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) has been named Big 12
Wrestler of
the Month for his performance during meets in November. Rosholt
receives recognition for the second time in his career.
Jake Rosholt, Sr., 197 pounds, Oklahoma State (Sandpoint, Idaho)
The nation's top ranked wrestler went 4-0 in November, including
a
decision over No. 2 Joel Flaggert (Oklahoma) at the NWCA All-Star
Classic. The senior advanced to the finals of the Omaha Open where
he
defaulted to Boise State's Casey Phelps. Rosholt finished the
month
against Michigan State's Jeff Clemens with a 8-4 decision.
The Big 12 will name the next Wrestler of the Month on Jan.
2. From
that point on the conference will name a Wrestler of the Week
starting
Monday, Jan. 16.
2005-06 Big 12 Wrestlers of the Week/Month
November - Jake Rosholt, Oklahoma State (197)
OSU's
Steve Mocco wins 2005 Dan Hodge Trophy 4th Time by a Big
12 Wrestler Since 2000
Oklahoma State's Steve Mocco named 2005 Dan Hodge Trophy winner;
Runner-up finish to WVU's Greg Jones
Former Dan Hodge Trophy winners:
Year Name School
2005 Steve Mocco Oklahoma State
2004 Emmett Willson Montana St.-Northern
2003 Eric Larkin Arizona State
2002 Cael Sanderson Iowa State
2001 Cael Sanderson Iowa State
Nick Ackerman Simpson College
2000 Cael Sanderson Iowa State
1999 Stephen Neal Cal-State Bakersfield
1998 Mark Ironside Iowa
1997 Kerry McCoy Penn State
1996 Les Gutches Oregon State
1995 TJ Jaworsky North Carolina
Hodge Trophy Award criteria: 1.) Record; 2.) Number of pins; 3.)
Dominance on the mat; 4.) Past credentials; 5.) Quality of competition;
6.) Sportsmanship/citizenship; 7.) Heart
Mocco pinned name on Hodge Trophy
By Bryan Van Kley, W.I.N. Publisher
Oklahoma State's Steve Mocco finished a perfect 37-0 season
at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo. with his second national
title. The Cowboy junior rolled up 17 pins this year, an incredible
16 of them in the first period.
Because of that absolute domination of the heavyweight class,
Mocco was selected the 2005 Dan Hodge Trophy winner by the International
Wrestling Institute and Museum and W.I.N. Magazine. The Hodge
Trophy is given annually to the sport's top collegiate wrestler.
A number of criteria are used with a heavy emphasis put on pinning
and domination.
"It's really a great honor to receive this award,"
Mocco said. "I grew up hearing stories, almost fairy tales
about (Dan Hodge). I've been at little kids tournaments and seen
him crush apples with his hands."
Mocco has been the one who has been a crushing force in Division
I wrestling this year. In addition to his 17 pins, the first-year
transfer from the University of Iowa also had three technical
falls and seven major decisions. Two reversals were the only offensive
points he gave up all year.
"He is an impressive young man," OSU coach John Smith
said when told that Mocco won wrestling's version of the Heisman
Trophy. "He's looking for perfection. That could be a good
thing for some people and a bad thing for others. For him, it's
a good thing because there's always something he's left on the
mat."
An amazing 13 of Mocco's 17 pins came in the first 90 seconds
of the matches. Mocco said his pursuit of perfection and pins
keep him hungry in his training.
"There's always room for improvement but you want to strive
for perfection. For me, it helps me to train harder. When you
start getting satisfied it will affect you in the room. I like
to stay hungry," he said. "I get jacked up before a
match and my goal is to pin. There's nothing more dominant than
when you see someone get a pin. The (wrestler) just comes up with
power (after a pin). To be a pinner, you're just always dangerous."
Mocco said his other goal is to dominate every guy who takes
the mat against him and he takes pride in his physical style.
"I wrestle as hard as I can and I try to make him cringe
if has to wrestle me again," the Cowboy said. Smith added
that Mocco has that attitude in the practice room too, which presents
an interesting problem.
"I really enjoy coaching Steve but he's not easy to coach.
He doesn't feel sorry for you or sugarcoat anything. It's hard
for us to keep (workout partners) in front of him," Smith
said.
The Cowboy head man said his heavyweight could have gotten six
to eight more pins had officials not gotten "greedy"
when calling his patented "hammer lock" from the top
position potentially dangerous at various times throughout the
year.
The other Dan Hodge Trophy finalist was West Virginia's Greg
Jones. The three-time national champion had very little trouble
with the nation's top 184-pounders this year. Jones turned in
outstanding numbers, racking up an impressive 25-0 record, with
only seven opponents keeping the match under eight points.
But, the deciding factor in Mocco getting the award over Jones
was pins. Jones only had five pins during his senior campaign,
12 less than Mocco. Hodge was known as one of the most prolific
pinners of all time, winning three NCAA titles (1955-1957) for
the Uni-versity of Oklahoma.
Hodge had 36 pins in 46 collegiate matches, the highest ever collegiate
career pinning percentage (.782). He pinned 15 of 16 opponents
his senior year and at one point flattened 18 straight opponents,
including all foes in the Big Seven tournament, the NCAAs, AAU
Nationals and the Greco Nationals. Hodge also was never taken
down in his three years as a Sooner.
Jones was quite dominant, both this year and throughout his
Mountaineer career. In addition to his five falls this year, he
also had five technical falls, seven majors and an injury default.
As the NCAA's Outstanding Wrestler, Jones was only taken down
twice this year and ten times in the last four years, while racking
up over 400 takedowns.
Jones would have had more matches this year but he didn't enter
the Navy Classic because he competed in the NWCA All-Star Meet
in November. And he also didn't go to the Vegas Invite in early
December because both of his grandfathers passed away in a span
of four days the week prior to the event.
"I don't know how Greg has kept it together," WVU assistant
Zeke Jones said.
As Smith looks ahead, he said Mocco is still in that transition
stage after transferring from Iowa to Oklahoma State last summer.
He added that most people don't know the internal pressure that
Mocco put on himself after deciding to head to Stillwater after
taking an Olympic redshirt for the 2003-2004 season.
"Getting this national championship under his belt was
a big relief for him. There was much more internal pressure there
than most people realize," Smith said.
Mocco, who carried a 4.0 GPA in his first semester in Stillwater,
is the first wrestler ever to win both the Hodge Trophy and the
Jr. Dan Hodge Trophy, given to the top high school wrestler in
the country. He won the prep award in 2001. Smith said one of
the reasons that Mocco has improved as a wrestler is because of
some of the personal changes he has made off the mat.
"Some of the things he struggled with in the past improved,"
Smith said. "I saw him give a lot to his teammates and not
be so self-centered. It made it more fun for him and that makes
you better. He's still mean, don't get me wrong. But there's a
side of him that allowed our team to grow."
In the eleven-year history of the prestigious award, Mocco becomes
just the first Oklahoma State wrestler to win it. Smith said the
award is very special for him as a coach, too.
"There's a little bit more to it for me because of the
man it's named after. Dan has been a good friend and has always
been very supportive and encouraging to me," Smith said of
the legendary Sooner who ironically lives 20 miles from Stillwater.
Mocco is now refocusing for his senior season but still has
his sites set on gunning for his ultimate goal.
"My final goal is to be an Olympic gold medalist and to
dominate on the highest circuit. It's been that way since I was
a little kid," Mocco said. "Anything else is not good
enough."
The Dan Hodge Trophy will first be presented to Mocco, April 7,
at the Oklahoma State wrestling banquet. The trophy will also
be publically presented at the halftime of a home OSU football
game next fall.
Quotes
from Feb. 24, 2005, Big 12 Wrestling Coaches Pre-Big 12 Championships
Teleconference
Iowa State Coach Bobby Douglas: "This season has been
a pleasant
surprise, and we have had an overachieving team. The credit goes
to my
assistant coaches, and I'll continue to play an administrative
role and
scouting role. That has worked well. The last dual meets with
Nebraska
and Missouri have been a lot like the intensity of the Big 12
tournament
and the NCAA tournament. As far as possible rules changes, we
need to be
part of the Olympic program and we not let freestyle wrestling
disappear
from the world program. Our main goal is to get our kids educated.
We
just need the resources and excess to compete on the international
level. That's the only reason I advocate rules changes like riding
time.
Riding time is illegal and debatable, and you can never keep riding
time
accurately. Wrestling is the greatest tool to educating kids in
our
college system. The younger wrestling coaches are more progressive,
and
many coaches are going to training camps. We don't have one dominant
wrestler. I think the national champion will come out of the Big
12
championships. It's like 1965 when there were 5-6 teams that could
win
the NCAA championship, and this year's champion will depend on
injuries.
Nate Gallick at 141 for us is one of 4-5 wrestlers who can win
that
class."
Missouri Coach Brian Smith: "It has been a tough year
since we had 6-7
newcomers in the lineup. Traveling and competing and figuring
out the
team have been challenges. We have a better tournament team than
a dual
meet team this year. That's the opposite of past years. We are
wrestling
at our best right now and are excited about our chances for the
tournament. Really, any one of the five teams has a chance at
winning if
things go the right way. We have heard that the Qwest Center is
a great
arena. It will get us ready for the NCAA Championships in St.
Louis
because it's a large venue and has a championship atmosphere.
Ben Askren
(29-1 at 174) for us has lost only to Chris Pendleton of OSU and
has 20
pins this year. He has set our career record for pins and is really
competing at a high level. We hope that several of our wrestlers
will
compete in Omaha at a peak level."
Nebraska Coach Mark Manning: "We had a really good season
(19-2-1 dual
meets) and had great fight. We have a good overall team identity,
great
conditioning and work ethic. We're anxious for the Big 12 Championships
and hope to qualify all 10 guys for the NCAA tournament. We have
some
guys on our team who are big point-getters. We have to have everyone
perform and have to have everyone wrestle to their potential.
(Senior)
B.J. Wright (157) is a determined kid, and he has made some changes
from
last year. He was a couple of seconds from being an All-American
in 2004
as he lost a heartbreaker. The toughest weight class in the Big
12 might
be 165 or 141 from the top three guys in both those classes. 184
is a
really tough weight, too, with 4-5 guys like Travis Pascoe (NU),
Matt
Pell (NU), Justin Dyer (OU), and Kurt Backes (ISU). The new Qwest
Center
in Omaha is a great Big 12 championship venue, and we're close
to 2,000
pre-sold tickets. I predict a great crowd and a lot of interest
in all
teams."
Oklahoma Coach Jack Spates: "This has been an interesting
season. We
have a chance to compete well in the Big 12 tournament, and we
had a
couple of key wrestlers injured early in the year. Getting 10
in the
NCAA tournament is a great challenge. We would love to get eight
in the
NCAA tournament, and a lot may continue as Wild Card entries.
There are
not enough superlatives to talk about Sam Hazewinkel (32-0 at
125), and
he's just as great a kid off the mat as he is in competition.
We have
sports psychologists work with our kids, and they ask you to visualize
yourself as a panther or a machine gun when you wrestle. Sam told
us he
visualizes himself as a child because children always have a lot
of fun.
He's just a great kid out there competing and having fun. You
take a
guy like Randy Sulaver at 165 with not a lot of athletic ability,
and he
has become a regular after our injuries. Randy almost quit the
team last
year, and we're happy he stayed. Joel Tapler (heavyweight) has
worked
extremely hard this year and wrestled Steve Mocco of OSU to a
seven-point loss. He has been fantastic. I like Omaha for the
hospitality and venue, but I personally prefer a smaller venue
on campus
for the Big 12. We have been hearing great things about what Omaha
has
been doing, and it ought to be a great meet."
Oklahoma State Coach John Smith: "This has been a little
bit of a
different year. We have a wide range of athletes and go into the
season
trying to win the National Duals, the Big 12 and NCAA championship.
We
have put ourselves in a position at the end of the year to win
the Big
12. It has been a great week for us to get a weekend off, our
first
since Christmas, and the kids' preparation has been very good
in
practice this week. The schedule this season has been tough, and
all the
Big 12 teams have stepped up their games. Wrestling Lehigh twice
this
season has been tough, and you look at Michigan and Illinois,
and it may
be one of the most competitive years nationally in a long time.
We want
10 competitors in the NCAA championships, and it's going to be
a tall
order. We'll have to wrestle better than we have all year. I'm
for
making sure that every conference has its share. When we're leaving
some
12-13-15-16-ranked kids in the country at home, and we want the
best
wrestlers in the country at the NCAAs. Chris Pendelton (174) has
had a
very consistent year outside of one match (Waldhaus of Oklahoma
had a
very good match). I have seen a shift in motivation in him over
the last
2-3 weeks. He has been inspiring and a wonderful leader for the
team.
Steve Mocco is undefeated and competing well in the heavyweight
class.
-Big 12-
Travis Pascoe (Nebraska) has been named Big 12 Wrestler of
the Week
DALLAS - Travis Pascoe (Nebraska) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of the
Week for his performance during meets from Feb. 15-21. This is
his
initial career Wrestler of the Week honor. and first for the 2004-05
season.
Travis Pascoe, Sr., 184 pounds, Nebraska (Rathdrum, Idaho)
The nation's No. 2 ranked wrestler and 24-2 this season, Pascoe
closed the regular season on a high note with a pair of dual triumphs.
He defeated Luke Lefever of Air Force 17-7 by major decision and
downed
No. 3 Kurt Backes of Iowa State 9-6 last Saturday in Lincoln,
Neb. His
wins lifted the Huskers to a 31-15 dual meet victory over Air
Force and
a 16-15 verdict over then-No. 2 Iowa State. Pascoe and his Huskers'
teammates are getting set to serve as hosts for the 2005 Big 12
Wrestling Championships at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb., on
Saturday,
March 5.
2004-05 Big 12 Conference Wrestlers of the Month/Week
November--Chris Pendleton, Oklahoma State (174)
December--Nate Gallick, Iowa State (141)
Jan. 11--Travis Paulson, Iowa State (165)
Jan. 18--Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Jan. 25--Steve Mocco, Oklahoma State (HWT)
Feb. 1--Sam Hazewinkel, Oklahoma (125)
Feb. 8--Chris Pendleton, Oklahoma State (174)
Feb. 15--Matt Murray, Nebraska (141)
Feb. 22--Travis Pascoe, Nebraska (184)
Matt
Murray (Nebraska) has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week
For Immediate Release - Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005
Contact: Bo Carter (214) 753-0102
BIG 12 WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
DALLAS - Matt Murray (Nebraska) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of the
Week for his performance during meets from Feb. 8-14. This is
his
initial Wrestler of the Week honor.
Matt Murray, Sr., 141 pounds, Nebraska (Colby, Kan.)
Murray capped a 2-0 individual record week with a victory over
Oklahoma's No. 2 nationally Teyon Ware in the 141-pound class
as the
Huskers edged the Sooners 16-15. He also placed NU within a point
of a
tie or win against No. 1 Oklahoma State in a 19-18 setback while
defeating No. 18 Daniel Frishkorn of the Cowboys in a meet at
Lincoln.
Murray's win over Ware was just the second loss in 29 matches
over the
2004-05 campaign for the Sooners' standout.
2004-05 Big 12 Conference Wrestlers of the Month/Week
November--Chris Pendleton, Oklahoma State (174)
December--Nate Gallick, Iowa State (141)
Jan. 11--Travis Paulson, Iowa State (165)
Jan. 18--Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Jan. 25--Steve Mocco, Oklahoma State (HWT)
Feb. 1--Sam Hazewinkel, Oklahoma (125)
Feb. 8--Chris Pendleton, Oklahoma State (174)
Feb. 15--Matt Murray, Nebraska (141)
big
12 WRESTLER of the WEEK
DALLAS - Sam Hazewinkel (Oklahoma) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of the Week for his performance during meets in from Jan. 25-31,
2005. He is Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for the first time in
his career.
Sam Hazewinkel, So., 125 Pounds, Oklahoma (Pensacola, Fla.)
Hazewinkel (27-0 during the 2004-05 season) defeated No. 8 Grant
Nakamura of Iowa State by a 9-4 decision last Sunday. Hazewinkel
became one of two Sooners to go home with a win against the Cyclones
and allowed only one takedown and led 7-1 at the end of the second
period. This is Hazewinkel's ninth win over a top-ranked opponent
this season and his 18th of his career. He has led the Sooners
to a 12-4 record and ninth place team ranking nationally.
2004-05 Big 12 Conference Wrestlers of the Month/Week
November--Chris Pendleton, Oklahoma State (174)
December--Nate Gallick, Iowa State (141)
Jan. 11--Travis Paulson, Iowa State (165)
Jan. 18--Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Jan. 25--Steve Mocco, Oklahoma State (Heavyweight)
Feb. 1--Sam Hazewinkel, Oklahoma (125)
Big
12 WRESTLER of the WEEK
DALLAS - Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State) has been named Big 12 Wrestler
of the Week for his performance during meets in from Jan. 18-24,
2005. He is Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for the first time in
his career after transferring to OSU from Iowa prior to the 2004-05
season.
Steve Mocco, Jr., Heavyweight, Oklahoma State (North Bergen, N.J.)
The two-time All-America at Iowa before moving to OSU enjoyed
one of his finest meets in last week's National Duals at Cleveland,
Ohio. Mocco went 4-0 with three falls and a technical fall. Mocco
pinned Lehigh's Tom Curl in 56 seconds as OSU came from behind
to win 20-16 in the team's first dual meet. He later pinned Illinois'
Mike Behnke in the finals of the National Duals in 1:18 to seal
that victory. He also recorded a tech fall over Cornell's Matt
Bohumil 24-9 and pinned the Citadel's Billy Linane in 1:59. Mocco
is now 21-0 on the season and has recorded 13 falls.
2004-05 Big 12 Conference Wrestlers of the Month/Week
November--Chris Pendleton, Oklahoma State (174)
December--Nate Gallick, Iowa State (141)
Jan. 11--Travis Paulson, Iowa State (165)
Jan. 18--Ben Askren, Missouri (174)
Jan. 25--Steve Mocco, Oklahoma State (Heavyweight)
-Big 12- (www.big12sports.com)
Big
12 Wrestling Championship seeds/draws
Action starts Saturday, 11 a.m.
Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
125
First round
(4) Grant Nakamura, ISU (13-10)
vs. (5) Austin DeVoe, MO (12-14)
Semifinals
(1) Jason Powell, NE (20-1) vs.
Nakamura/DeVoe
(2) Sam Hazewinkel, OU (28-4) vs.
(3) Cody Stites, OSU (11-12)
133
First round
(4) Mimi Miller, OU (19-13) vs.
(5) Brett Watkins (11-14)
Semifinals
(1) Johnny Thompson, OSU (21-6) vs.
Miller/Collum
(2) Zach Roberson, ISU (25-2)
vs. (3) Matt Keller, NE (21-9)
141
First round
(4) J.P. Reese, MO (25-8)
vs. (5) Ronnie Delk, OSU (14-14)
Semifinals
(1) Nate Gallick, ISU (18-4) vs.
Reese/Delk
(2) Teyon Ware, OU (16-1) vs.
(3) Matt Murray, NE (19-5)
149
First round
(4) Trent Paulson, ISU (23-5)
vs. (5) Jeff Ecklof, OU (27-11)
Semifinals
(1) Zack Esposito, OSU (27-1)
vs. Paulson/Ecklof
(2) Jeremy Spates, MO (22-4)
vs. (3) Travis Shufelt, NE (24-3)
157
First round
(4) B.J. Wright, NE (16-8)
vs. (5) Rafael Maturino, OU (17-16)
Semifinals
(1) Johny Hendricks, OSU (31-4)
vs. Wright/Maturino
(2) Kenny Burleson, MO (29-4)
vs. (3) Travis Paulson, ISU (19-4)
165
First round
(4) Tyron Woodley, MO (21-8)
vs. (5) Charles Jones, OU (9-10)
Semifinals
(1) Tyrone Lewis, OSU (27-1)
vs. Woodley/Jones
(2) Nick Passolano, ISU (19-3)
vs. (3) Jacob Klein, NE (15-7)
174
First round
(4) Grant Turner, ISU (7-13)
(5) James Pummel, NE (10-10)
Semifinals
(1) Chris Pendleton, OSU (28-0)
vs. Turner/Pummel
(2) Ben Askren, MO (27-4)
vs. (3) E. K. Waldhaus, OU (25-7)
184
First round
(4) Kurt Backes, ISU (22-9)
vs. (5) Travis Pascoe, NE (24-3)
Semifinals
(1) Jake Rosholt, OSU (17-3)
vs. Backes/Pascoe
(2) Matt Pell, MO (25-9) vs.
(3) Justin Dyer, OU (21-9)
197
First round
(4) Rusty Blackmon, OSU (15-12)
vs. (5) Joel Tapler, OU (7-9)
Semifinals
(1) B.J. Padden, NE (22-4)
Blackmon/Tapler
(2) Trevor Smith, IS (11-11) vs.
(3) Jeff Foust, MO (21-9)
HWT
First round
(4) Nathan McClain, NE (20-7)
vs. (5) Mike Whitehead, MO (21-8)
Semifinals
(1) Leonce Crump, OU (29-2)
McClain/Whitehead
(2) Will Gruenwald, OSU (21-10)
vs. (3) Scott Coleman, ISU (5-3)
Big
12 Wrestling Championships
FOR LIVE UPDATES & RESULTS: Visit the Iowa State
Web site, www.cyclones.com, or the Big 12 Web site,
www.big12sports.com.
Big 12 Media Relations Contact:_________ Carmen Murry
Office Phone:______________ (214) 753-0109
Cell Phone:_______________ (214) 418-6969
Big 12 Fax:________________ (214) 753-0145
E-mail:__________ carmen@big12sports.com
Iowa State Media Relations Contact:______ Tom Kroeschell/Jose
Vargas
Office Phone:______________ (515) 294-3372
ISU Fax:__________________ (515) 294-4720
E-mail:________ tkroesch@iastate.edu (Tom) / mediarelations@iastate.edu
(Jose)
Tickets: Tickets are on sale at the Iowa State Athletic Ticket
Office Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. They may be purchased
at the gate one and a half hours prior to the meet. Or call 1-888-ISU-CYCLONES
to buy tickets over the phone.
Reserved:
Adult - $17
Youth/Senior Citizens - $17
General Admission:
Adult - $13
Youth/Senior Citizens - $7
PARKING: All parking will be on a first come, first
serve basis without the need of a parking pass.
TELEVISION: Fox Sports Net will telecast the Big
12 Conference Wrestling Championship on a tape-delay basis nationally.
Check local listings for broadcast times.
NOTES
Schedule of Events
10:00 a.m.: Door Open for Morning Session
11:00 a.m.: First Round Matches
12:00 p.m.: Semifinal Matches
3:00 p.m.: Doors Open for Evening Session
4:00 p.m.: Consolation Matches / Third-Place Matches / Eligible
Challenge Matches
7:00 p.m.: Championship Matches
Big 12 Wrestling Championships History
The Big 12 Wrestling Championship will be held Saturday, March
6, at Hilton Coliseum on the Iowa State University campus in Ames,
Iowa. This marks the second time that ISU has hosted the event
in Big 12 history. The Cyclones' sponsored the 1999 championship,
and become one of three schools which have hosted the league meet
twice along with Missouri (1997 and 2003) and Oklahoma (1998 and
2002).
To date, Oklahoma State has won five of the seven previous titles
(1997-98, 2000-2001 and 2003) and added its first national crown
as a member of the Big 12 Conference last season. Overall, the
Cowboys have a league-leading 31 national championships. Oklahoma
claimed the other two
conference meets in 1999 and 2002.
Big 12 at the NCAAs
Overall, Big 12 Conference teams have won 46 NCAA titles. Oklahoma
State paces the league with 31 and claimed the most recent championship
for the conference in 2003. Iowa State has posted eight crowns
while Oklahoma has earned seven. Before last season, a Big 12
team had not won a national championship, but had at least two
of the teams placing in the Top 10 each year. And the 2003 NCAA
Championships was no exception. In addition to OSU winning the
national crown, Oklahoma finished third followed by Nebraska (13th),
Missouri (16th), and Iowa State (19th).
Conference teams boast 258 individual champions: Oklahoma State
(124), Oklahoma (63), Iowa State (61), Nebraska (6), Colorado
(3), Kansas State (1). Four Big 12 student-athletes won individual
championships in 2002: Aaron Holker, Iowa State (141); Joe Heskett,
Iowa State (165); Cael Sanderson, Iowa State (197) and Johnny
Thompson,Oklahoma State (133).
Missouri, Savvis Center and St. Louis Sports Commission will host
the 2004 and 2005 Division I NCAA Wrestling Championships at the
Savvis Center in St. Louis, Mo. This marks the first time in history
that the event will be in the same place in consecutive years
-- the city also sponsored the 2000 championship. In 2004, nationals
will take place March 18-20. All-session tickets are $110 and
can be purchased by calling 877-722-1604, by downloading the official
ticket application (pdf format) on-line at www.stlouissports.org/wrestling,
or at the Savvis Center box office. Single-session tickets are
also available for $15-45, and may be purchased via Internet at
ticketmaster.com by calling 314-241-1888 (Missouri) or 618-222-2900
(Illinois), or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including
the Savvis Center Box Office. In 2000, St. Louis set an NCAA Division
I Wrestling Championships all-time total
attendance record of 96,994.
Championships Preview
The 2004 Big 12 Conference Wrestling Championships possibly could
be the most anticipated league meet to date in the conference's
eight-year tenure with all five of its team currently ranked in
the nation's Top 10.
Oklahoma State, the defending NCAA and Big 12 champion, leads
the way ranked first followed by Iowa State (No. 3), Nebraska
(No. 4), Missouri (No. 7) and Oklahoma (No. 10) -- rankings from
W.I.N. Magazine. Here's a look at the 2004 field in order of last
year's championship finish:
OKLAHOMA STATE
· OSU enters Saturday's Big 12 Championship as the favorite
after being ranked No. 1 nationally during the 2003-04 season.
The Cowboys posted a 17-2 overall record suffering setbacks only
to Missouri (21-17) and Minnesota (17-16). Against conference
opponents, OSU compiled a 6-1 mark.
The Pokes have won five of the seven previous conference titles
(1997-98, 2000-2001 and 2003) . The Cowboys feature returning
champions Johnny Thompson (133 2001-03), Chris
Pendleton (174 - 2003) Tyrone Lewis (174 2001)
and Will Gruenwald (HWT - 2003). Pendleton
had a stellar regular season finishing undefeated at 28-0. He
is the only Big 12 wrestler in the starting/regular lineup to
do so this season and the first since Iowa State's Cael Sanderson,
who ended his career in 2002 with a perfect record at 159-0.
Thompson is a two-time NCAA champ, winning consecutive titles
in 2002 and 2003. While Jake Rosholt has yet to claim a
conference championship, he was a national winner in the 184 division
in 2003.
MISSOURI
· At the 2003 conference championships Missouri finished
as the runner-up, the school's highest finish in Big 12 history.
Junior All-America Tyron Woodley earned the Tigers' first
Big 12 individual victory in league history, while former MU standout
Scott Barker followed in his footsteps and claimed the second
title for the squad. Woodley looks to establish another milestone
for his program Saturday when he vies for his second straight
title.
Mizzou's season was highlighted by an upset of top-ranked OSU
(21-17) in Columbia, Mo., early in the season on Nov. 21. The
Tigers ended the regular season with a victory over Oklahoma (21-15)
and to mark the
first time any Big 12 school has claimed a win over both Oklahoma
and Oklahoma State wrestling programs, the only two teams in the
league to win top honors at the conference meet, in the same year.
The Tigers recorded a 15-3 overall mark and was 2-3 versus league
opponents.
OKLAHOMA
· Defending NCAA and Big 12 champion sophomore Teyon
Ware will return to action for the first time in about a month
at the Big 12 Championships. Ware, who wrestles at 141-pounds,
suffered a high ankle sprain at the NWCA All-Star Duals Feb. 2,
and has not competed since then in a dual. A native of Edmond,
Okla., Ware, wreslted live for the first time in about three weeks
last week in practice. He is 16-2 overall this season and
2-1 against conference opponents.
Also returning to the championships in 2003 is two-time heavyweight
champion Leonce Crump. The Baton Rouge, La., senior captured
the weight class in 2001 and 2002. At 7-0, Crump did not lose
a conference match this season. Overall, he posted a 27-1 record.
OU is the only other team besides Oklahoma State to win top honors
at the championships. The Sooners won in 1998 and 2002.
NEBRASKA
· Nebraska has been ranked in the Top Five in most polls
for the majority of the season and enjoyed the regular season
by posting a 19-3 overall record.
With a win over Oklahoma on Feb. 20, Nebraska won its 10th home
dual in the 2003-04 season, finishing the season undefeated at
home for the first time since the 1991-92, and for just the fourth
time in school history. NU also won its 14th straight home dual,
tying the record that was set in 1989-90.
Jason Powell is the Huskers' only returning champion at
the tournament. The Midwest City, Okla., senior took home the
title in 2001 and was third last season. With both the 2003 champion
(Bo Maynes, OU) and runner-up (Skyler Holman, OSU) not returning,
Powell could possibly win his second title.
IOWA STATE
· Iowa State closed the regular season last Thursday with
an emotional victory over then-second ranked Nebraska with head
coach Bobby Douglas earning his 400th career win and senior 133-pounder
Zach Roberson recording the 100th triumph in his career. Douglas
is only the fourth NCAA Division I coach to reach this milestone.
While Roberson became the 28th Cyclone to pick up at least 100
victories in his career with a 21-9 major decision over 10th-ranked
Matt Keller in the Cyclones' 22-9 victory over Nebraska.
Roberson should be a contender for the 133-pound title after finishing
third in each of the past two seasons. Three-time Big 12 champ
Thompson of OSU could be the only obstacle to overcome en route
to a win if history holds true.
Redshirt freshman Travis Paulson and sophomore Nate
Gallick will be other wrestlers to watch for the Cyclones.
Paulson (19-4 overall, 1-2 vs. Big 12) will be competiting in
the 157-lb weight division while Gallick will most likely get
a rematch with formerly top-ranked and NCAA and conference champion
Ware of OU in the 141 class. Ware was knocked from the undefeated
ranks and dethroned from a No. 1 ranking by Gallick on Jan. 30.
RETURNING BIG 12 CHAMPIONS
Champion Wt. Year
Jason Powell, NU 125 2001
^Johnny Thompson, OSU 133 2001-03
^Teyon Ware, OU 141 2003
Tyron Woodley, MU 165 2003
Chris Pendleton , OSU 174 2003
Tyrone Lewis, OSU 174 2001
Will Gruenwald, OSU HWT 2003
Leonce Crump, OU HWT 2001-02
^ - Denotes 2003 NCAA Champion; Note: Thompson also won in
2002. OSU's Jake Rosholt is also a returning NCAA champion in
the 184 weight class.
2003 Individual Results
March 8 * Hearnes Center * Columbia, Mo.
Team Results
1. Oklahoma State 101.5
2. Missouri 55.5
3. Oklahoma 51.5
4. Nebraska 39.5
5. Iowa State 26.5
Individual Results
125-Pound
Championship -- Bo Maynes, OU dec. Skyler Holman, OSU; 4-1
133-Pound
Championship -- Johnny Thompson, OSU dec. Witt Durden, OU; 4-1
141-Pound
Championship -- Teyon Ware, OU dec. Zack Esposito, OSU; 5-2
149-Pound
Championship -- Jerrod Sanders, OSU dec. Travis Shufelt, NU; 6-5
157-Pound
Championship -- Shane Roller, OSU dec. Kenny Burleson, MU; 8-5
165-Pound
Championship -- Tyron Woodley, MU dec. Nick Passalano ISU; 5-1
(TB)
174-Pound
Championship -- Chris Pendleton, OSU dec. Robbie Waller, OU; 6-3
184-Pound
Championship -- Scott Barker, MU dec. Jake Rosholt, OSU; 9-1
197-Pound
Championship -- Muhammed Lawal, OSU dec. Justin Ruiz, NU; 7-4
Heavyweight
Championship -- Willie Gruenwald, OSU dec. Kevin Herron, MU; 4-3
Bold = Returning Big 12 Champion
Big
12 Wrestling Championship Preview
Composed by Ben Schlesselman, Wrestling ISU Media Relations
125 pounds
Nebraska's top ranked Jason Powell appears to be the clear cut
favorite as he has ripped through Big 12 competition undefeated.
"He's the leader of our team; if he does well then the whole
team does well," Nebraska coach Mark Manning stated. Oklahoma's
Sam Hazewinkel has earned 28 wins this season and has fared well
in conference play also, only dropping to Powell and will be looking
to avenge a 3-1 loss to Powell suffered on Feb. 20 in Lincoln.
Oklahoma State's Cody Stites has picked up three conference wins
while Cyclone Grant Nakamura and Missouri's Austin DeVoe have
managed one.
133 pounds
Two-time NCAA Champion Johnny Thompson from OSU and Iowa State's
All-American Zach Roberson are expected to provide the thrills
in this tight weight class. Thompson got the best of Roberson
the last time the pair met in a 8-3 decision and dealt Roberson
his second loss of the season. On Roberson from coach Bobby Douglas:
"I think Zach has improved a great deal from last year."
He's healthy, has a great attitude and is ready for the Big 12
Tournament and Nationals. The Big 12 Championships are going to
be the most competitive as they've been in a long, long time,"
Cyclone coach Bobby Douglas said. It could perhaps make for the
best Big 12 Tournament of all times." OU's Mimi Miller dealt
Thompson his only loss in conference action. Nebraska's Matt Keller
is 2-2 in the Big 12 as well having lost to Thompson and Roberson.
Junior Paul Collum and freshman Brett Watkins have split time
this year for Missouri and the pair have combined for one conference
win.
141 pounds
The stage is set for a rematch between Iowa State's Nate Gallick
and Oklahoma's Teyon Ware. Ware was knocked from the undefeated
ranks and dethroned from a number one ranking by Gallick on Jan.
30. Missouri's J.P. Reese will look to mix things up a bit as
he leads the conference in falls but has lost to Gallick and Nebraska's
Matt Murray twice. Murray is 19-4 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12.
On Thursday, Gallick dealt Murray his first conference loss of
the year while Gallick finished undefeated with an unblemished
record of 5-0. OSU's Ronnie Delk has three conference wins but
has lost to all nationally ranked Big 12 opponents he has faced.
149 pounds
All five wrestlers competing are ranked in the top ten which makes
the weight class the toughest to wrestle in. Zach Esposito and
Jeremy Spates are ranked 2-3. Paulson was beaten by Shufelt in
Iowa State's historic win on Thursday as Shufelt moved to 24-3
on the year. Oklahoma's Jeff Ecklof is 27-11 overall and has two
conference victories. Oklahoma State's Esposito is an impressive
8-0 in the Bi 12 including two wins over Spates and three wins
over Ecklof. Spates just recently picked up his 100th career victory
against Northern Illinois and has beaten Paulson and Shufelt this
season. Paulson comes in with a 23-5 overall record and has a
1-3 conference record. Shufelt has split his matches against Spates
and holds a 20-4 record overall. Ecklof is coming off of an upset
victory over Shufelt on Feb. 20.
157 pounds
With three wrestlers ranked in the top ten, 157 pounds is another
heavily congested weight class. Johny Hendricks, Kenny Burleson
and Travis Paulson have the best chance to come away with the
title. Hendricks has defeated Burleson and Paulson this year and
also beat nationally ranked Cornhusker B.J. Wright. Burleson,
a senior, has a 6-1 showing in conference action and a 29-4 record
overall this season. Due to an earlier injury suffered this season,
Paulson has only wrestled two conference matches, fell to Hendricks
and Burleson and picked up a forfeit victory. Wright has fared
as well as Paulson, dropping to OSU's Hendricks and MU's Burleson.
Rafael Maturino is 17-16 overall will be OU's representative as
he has seen time at 157 pounds and 165 pounds.
165 pounds
Oklahoma State's Tyrone Lewis is ranked number one and coming
off of a recent victory over the previously top ranked Troy Letters
of Lehigh. Lewis is 27-1 overall and undefeated at 8-0 in the
Big 12 like teammate Zach Esposito and compiled three wins over
Missouri's Tyrone Woodley. ISU's Nick Passolano is 19-3 overall
and his only conference loss is to Lewis. Woodley has managed
one conference win which is misleading because of his 19-7 overall
record. Nebraska's Jacob Klein is 15-6 and also lost to OSU's
Lewis. OU's Maturino or freshman Charles Jones, who has two conference
wins, will compete for the Sooners.
174 pounds
Oklahoma State boasts yet another powerhouse, this time in Chris
Pendleton who is undefeated at 28-0 overall and ranked first in
the country. Pendleton is the third OSU Cowboy to come into the
tournament with an 8-0 record in the Big 12. Missouri's Ben Askren,
a redshirt freshman, has lost to Pendleton three times by decisions
but leads the Big 12 with 17 total falls. Askren is 27-4 and has
the best shot at unseating Pendleton from the undefeated ranks.
OU's E.K. Waldhaus is nationally ranked with a 25-7 season mark
and should not be overlooked against Askren and Pendleton. Iowa
State's Grant Turner and Nebraska's James Pummel round out the
competition and will compete for their respective schools.
184 pounds
Like 149 pounds, the competition will be fierce as each wrestler
is ranked in the top ten. Defending NCAA Champion Cowboy Jake
Rosholt is undefeated in conference play going an impressive 6-0.Nebraska's
Travis Pascoe is 24-3 overall with his only losses against Rosholt
and Oklahoma's Justin Dyer. Dyer has climbed up the rankings to
become seventh overall in the nation. Missouri's Matt Pell is
4-2 in the Big 12 only suffering losses to Rosholt and Pascoe.
Iowa State's Kurt Backes is 21-10 overall and picked up his first
conference win at the Cyclones' home dual, upsetting Pascoe.
197 pounds
B.J. Padden of Nebraska is ranked second in the country and the
early favorite at 197 pounds. Iowa State's Trevor Smith is nationally
ranked and has two wins in conference action. Missouri's Jeff
Foust has two conference wins and earned 21 wins overall. OSU's
Rusty Blackmon also has two Big 12 wins but has endured five conference
losses. Oklahoma's Austin David or Joel Tapler will represent
the Sooners and have combined for one Big 12 victory.
Heavyweight
In the battle of heavyweights, Leonce Crump of Oklahoma is expected
to emerge victorious. Crump is 7-0 in the Big 12 and 27-1 overall.
Crump will go against Iowa State's Scott Coleman, Missouri's Mike
Whitehead, OSU's Will Gruenwald and Nebraska's Nathan McClain.
All five are ranked in the top twenty and Crump is the only heavyweight
undefeated in the Big 12 Conference. Oklahoma coach Jack Spates
says, "Leonce is perfectly healthy - and he's hungry. We
feel quite confident as him repeating champion." Coleman
defeated Whitehead and McClain to account for his conference wins
and Whitehead, at 21-7, also picked up a win over Gruenwald. Gruenwald
is 4-3 in the Big 12 and 21-10 overall for Oklahoma State.
MEMORANDUM
2004 BIG 12 WRESTLING TELECONFERENCE
2004 BIG 12 WRESTLING COACHES TELEPHONIC BRIEFING
Through the work of Premiere Conferencing, the Big 12 is hosting a wrestling coaches' telephonic news conference on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 10:00 10:35 a.m. (CST). Head coaches from each of the five nationally-ranked league wrestling teams will be featured. Those media wishing to dial into the conference call may contact (719) 457-2692. This number is for media use ONLY. Please identify yourself by media affiliation when you access the call.
The order of head coaches for the conference call is below:
10:00 - 10:07 a.m. Mark Manning, Nebraska
10:07 - 10:14 a.m. Bobby Douglas, Iowa State
10:14 - 10:21 a.m. Jack Spates, Oklahoma
10:21 - 10:28 a.m. Brian Smith, Missouri
10:28 - 10:35 a.m. John Smith, Oklahoma State
Thanks for your participation, and please contact Carmen Murry
(214-753-0109) with any questions before Tuesday, Feb. 24. After
that time direct any questions/concerns to Assistant Commissioner
Bo Carter, who will be moderating the call next Thursday.
Oklahoma
State's Pendleton Selected as Big 12 Wrestler of the WeekBig
12 Conference Announces December Wrestler of the MonthBig
12 Conference Announces November Wrestler of the Month
DALLAS - Iowa State redshirt freshman Travis Paulson was named
the Big
12 Conference's November Wrestler of the Month, the league announced
Tuesday. The conference selects a wrestler of the month in November
and
December but will award an honor weekly starting in January through
March.
Paulson currently owns a perfect 9-0 record in the 157-pound division
and national ranking of fifth by InterMat and Amateur Wrestling
News.
The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native has tallied victories over nationally
ranked opponents Derek Zinck of Lehigh (6-1; Nov. 14), Nick Baima
of
Northern Iowa (7-5; Nov. 23), Joe Johnston of Iowa (9-4; Nov.
23) and
Jake Yost of Tennessee at Chattanooga (5-2; Nov. 29).
The highlight of Paulson's season thus far came when he was named
the
Kaufman-Brand Open's Outstanding Wrestler Nov. 23 in Omaha, Neb.
Paulson recorded two wins over ranked opponents and four overall,
including a 9-4 decision over Iowa's then-ninth-ranked Joe Johnston
in
the championship match, to claim the title in his weight class.
Paulson has led the fourth-ranked Cyclones' to a 6-0 start this
season.
ISU has defeated UT at Chattanooga (27-9; Nov. 29), Virginia Tech
(30-12; Nov. 29), Carson-Newman (42-6; Nov. 29), then-No. 3 Lehigh
(23-18; Nov. 14), Minnesota State-Mankato (39-7; Nov. 7) and Boston
(22-14; Nov. 7).
Iowa State returns to action when it hosts in-state rival Iowa
at 2 p.m.
CST Sunday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
2003-04 BIG 12 WRESTLERS OF THE MONTH / WEEK
November: Travis Paulson, Iowa State
CARMEN MURRY
Assistant for Information Services
Big 12 Conference
2201 Stemmons Frwy.
28th Floor
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 753-0109 (Direct)
(214) 418-6969 (Cell)
(214) 753-0145 (Fax)
2003-04
big 12 WRESTLING composite schedule
ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
FRI., NOV. 7
Minnesota State at Iowa State, 5:30 p.m.
Boston University at Iowa State, 7 p.m.
FRI., NOV. 14
Iowa State at Lehigh, 7 p.m.
Tennessee-Chattanooga at Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.
Iowa State vs. Millersville (Bethlehem, Pa.), 8:30 p.m.
SAT., NOV. 15
Iowa State at Harold Nichols Open (Fort Dodge, Iowa), All Day
Oklahoma at Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Classic (Brockport, N.Y.),
All Day
Portland State, Oregon State at Nebraska, TBA
SUN., NOV. 16
Oklahoma State at Michigan State, 2 p.m.
THU., NOV. 20
Missouri Valley at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
FRI., NOV. 21
Missouri vs. Oklahoma State (St. Louis, Mo.), 7 p.m.
Boise State at Nebraska, 7 p.m.
SAT., NOV. 22
Iowa State at Kaufman-Brand Open (Omaha, Neb.), All Day
SUN., NOV. 23
Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State at Missouri Open, All Day
SAT., NOV. 29
Iowa State, Carson-Newman, Virginia Tech at Tennessee-Chattanooga,
All
Day
Oklahoma at Oklahoma Open, All Day
Nebraska, Rutgers at Hofstra, TBA
FRI., DEC. 5
Missouri, Nebraska at Las Vegas Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.),
All Day
SAT., DEC. 6
Missouri, Nebraska at Las Vegas Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.),
All Day
SUN., DEC. 7
Iowa at Iowa State, 2 p.m.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.
THU., DEC. 11
Oklahoma vs. Bacone (Edmond, Okla.), 4 p.m.
Oklahoma at Central Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
FRI., DEC. 12
Iowa State at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
SAT., DEC. 13
Indiana at Missouri, 1 p.m.
SUN., DEC. 14
Oklahoma State at Oregon State, 2 p.m.
Oklahoma State at Oregon, 7 p.m.
THU., DEC. 18
Oklahoma State at Reno Tournament of Champions, All Day
MON., DEC. 22
Nebraska at Nebraska Duals (Nebraska-Kearney, Chadron State and
Dana
College), TBA
SUN., DEC. 28
Missouri at Southern Scuffle (Greensboro, N.C.), All Day
MON., DEC. 29
Iowa State at Midlands Championships (Evanston, Ill.), All Day
Missouri at Southern Scuffle (Greensboro, N.C.), All Day
SUN., DEC. 30
Iowa State at Midlands Championships (Evanston, Ill.), All Day
THU., JAN. 1
Nebraska vs. Minnesota (Rochester, Minn.), 4 p.m.
SAT., JAN. 3
Oklahoma at Lone Star Duals (Arlington, Texas), All Day
Oregon at Nebraska, TBA
SUN., JAN. 4
Iowa State, Missouri at Sun Devil Duals (Tempe, Ariz.), All Day
TUE., JAN. 6
Iowa State at Fresno State, TBA
FRI., JAN. 9
Cal Poly at Oklahoma State, 5 p.m.
Fresno State at Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.
SAT., JAN. 10
Missouri, Ohio State at Tennessee-Chattanooga, 12 p.m.
Cal Poly at Oklahoma, 5 p.m.
Fresno State at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
Nebraska at Virginia Duals (Hampton, Va.), TBA
SUN., JAN. 11
Oklahoma State at Iowa, 1 p.m.
Nebraska at Virginia Duals (Hampton, Va.), TBA
FRI., JAN. 16
Nebraska at Air Force, TBA
SAT., JAN. 17
Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State at National
Duals
(Cleveland, Ohio), All Day
Nebraska at Wyoming, TBA
SUN., JAN. 18
Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State at National
Duals
(Cleveland, Ohio), All Day
SAT., JAN. 24
Iowa State at Northern Iowa, 4 p.m.
Arizona State at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
Missouri at Nebraska, 7 p.m.
FRI., JAN. 30
Iowa State at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
Northern Iowa at Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.
Lindenwood at Missouri, 8 p.m.
Nebraska at Arizona State, TBA
SAT., JAN. 31
Iowa State at Oklahoma State, 1 p.m.
North Carolina State at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
MON., FEB. 2
Iowa State at NWCA All-Star Duals (Cedar Falls, Iowa), TBA
THU., FEB. 5
Nebraska at Iowa State, 7 p.m.
Missouri at Central Missouri State, 7:30 p.m.
FRI., FEB. 6
Michigan State at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
SAT. FEB. 7
Nebraska at Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.
SUN., FEB. 8
Eastern Illinois at Missouri, 1 p.m.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, TBA
FRI., FEB. 13
Missouri at Iowa State, 7 p.m.
SAT., FEB. 14
North Carolina at Nebraska, TBA
SUN., FEB. 15
Lehigh at Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.
WED., FEB. 18
Northern Illinois at Missouri, 4 p.m.
FRI., FEB. 20
Oklahoma at Nebraska, TBA
SAT., FEB. 21
N.C. State at Iowa State, 7 p.m.
SUN., FEB. 22
Oklahoma at Missouri, 12 p.m.
Minnesota at Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.
SAT., MARCH 6
Big 12 Championship (Ames, Iowa), All Day
THU. - SUN., MARCH 18-20
NCAA Championships (St. Louis, Mo.), All Day
Oklahoma's
Teyon Ware Collects Second Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Award This
Season
DALLAS - Oklahoma true freshman standout Teyon Ware earned the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for the second time this season. Ware received the weekly accolade on Jan. 20 earlier this season.
Last Sunday, Ware defeated defending 141-pound national champion Aaron Holker of Iowa State for the second time this season. Ironically, the last time Ware beat Holker (3-1, National Duals) he also was awarded with the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honor. Ware won this bout with a 9-3 decision.
Despite Ware's performance the 15th-ranked Sooners lost to No. 21 Iowa State, 27-19. OU is 12-7 overall and 2-4 in the Big 12 this season.
Ware is riding a 12-match win streak, where he has outscored his opponents 83-28, and recorded two falls. The Edmond, Okla., native currently is second on the team in the win category, even though he came out of redshirt status in January. Ware has compiled a 24-4 overall mark and a perfect 4-0 league record. W.I.N. Magazine ranked Ware second last week, while InterMat and Amateur Wrestling News rated him third-best in the 141-pound weight division.
The Sooners will compete in the Bedlam Dual against top-ranked Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. Sunday in Stillwater, Okla.
2003 BIG 12 WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK
Jan. 6: Shane Roller, Oklahoma State
Jan. 13: Travis Shufelt, Nebraska
Jan. 20: Teyon Ware, Oklahoma
Jan. 27: Witt Durden, Oklahoma
Feb. 3: Zack Esposito, Oklahoma State
Feb. 10: Justin Ruiz, Nebraska
Feb. 17: Teyon Ware, Oklahome
Oklahoma
State's Esposito Selected As Big 12 Wrestler of the Week
DALLAS Oklahoma State freshman Zack Esposito earned the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week award for the week of Jan. 27 Feb. 2, the conference announced Monday.
Esposito led the nation's top-ranked Cowboys
to a 26-9 win over Iowa State last Sunday in Ames, Iowa. He defeated
fourth-ranked and defending national champion Aaron Holker 8-2
in the 141-pound match. That win marked the 10th victory over
a ranked opponent this season for Esposito.
He recorded a takedown late in the first period to take a 2-1
lead heading into the second frame. At the start of the second
period Holker tied the count at 2-2 after scoring on an escape.
That would be Holker's final scoring of the match, as Esposito
went on to record a reversal and a three-point near fall to pick
up the 8-2 decision.
The Three Bridges, N.J. native improved to 19-1 overall and 3-1
in league action. Esposito is currently ranked No. 1 in his weight
class in the latest Amateur Wrestling News rankings, while he
is second in the W.I.N. Magazine and InterMat ratings.
Esposito is the second freshman to receive the conference weekly
honor this season. Oklahoma's Teyon Ware won the title Jan. 20.
And, he is the second OSU wrestler to be named Big 12 Wrestler
of the Week his teammate Shane Roller won the first award
of the season Jan. 6.
The Cowboys are a perfect 14-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big 12. They return to action on Saturday, hosting the Nebraska Cornhuskers at 7 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
2003 BIG 12 WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK
Jan. 6: Shane Roller, Oklahoma State
Jan. 13: Travis Shufelt, Nebraska
Jan. 20: Teyon Ware, Oklahoma
Jan. 27: Witt Durden, Oklahoma
Feb. 3: Zack Esposito, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma's
Witt Durden Receives Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Award
DALLAS Oklahoma senior Witt Durden is the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for the week of Jan. 20-26, the conference announced Monday.
Durden recorded his 100th career victory in a conference dual against Missouri last Sunday. The two-time All-American (2001 and 2002) scored a 23-8 technical fall over Missouri's Chris McCormick in the 133-pound match to improve to 16-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference. The third-ranked Sooners dropped the dual to 20th-ranked MU 25-20.
In addition to his victory versus the Tigers, Durden also posted wins in the Oregon and Oregon State duals last weekend. He defeated Oregon's Jason Harless 4-2, and Oregon State's Tim Norman 19-6 by major decision last Friday. The Dublin, Ga., native helped OU beat Oregon 21-13 and Oregon State 24-15.
Durden, who is currently ranked fifth by Amateur Wrestling News and sixth by InterMat, becomes the second Sooner student-athlete to earn the league weekly accolade in as many weeks. Last week his teammate Teyon Ware won the honor.
OU (11-5 overall, 1-3 Big 12) returns to action Sunday when the team competes at Michigan State.
2003 BIG 12 WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK
Jan. 6: Shane Roller, Oklahoma State
Jan. 13: Travis Shufelt, Nebraska
Jan. 20: Teyon Ware, Oklahoma
Jan. 27: Witt Durden, Oklahoma
Oklahoma's
Teyon Ware Pins Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Honor
DALLAS University of Oklahoma freshman Teyon Ware was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for his performances during the week of Jan. 13-19, the conference announced Monday.
The Edmond, Okla., native had an outstanding weekend at the Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals in Columbus, Ohio. Ware, who was ranked 16th nationally in the 141-pound division heading into the meet, recorded upset wins in three of the four matches he competed in last weekend. The most impressive victory came against top-ranked and defending national champion Aaron Holker of Iowa State. Ware won by decision 3-1 in the stunning defeat.
In addition to defeating Holker last Saturday, he knocked off No. 12 Shane Cunanan of West Virginia 7-4, pinned Iowa's Luke Moffitt by fall in six minutes and 48 seconds, and defeated No. 2 Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State 5-5 in double overtime.
Ware has compiled a 10-1 overall and dual record and is 1-0 in the Big 12.
His team (9-4), who was unseeded at the Duals, posted a runner-up finish and a 3-1 record. OU defeated the No. 6 seed West Virginia (20-18), Iowa State (19-15), and the No. 2 seed Iowa on near fall criteria (18-18) before falling to in-state and league rival top-seeded Oklahoma State (27-6) in the finals.
Ware and the Sooners return to action when they host Oregon State and Oregon Friday. Oklahoma will wrestle Oregon State at Harrah (Okla.) High School at noon and Oregon in the Howard McCasland Field House at 7 p.m.
2003 BIG 12 WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK
Jan. 6: Shane Roller, Oklahoma State
Jan. 13: Travis Shufelt, Nebraska
Jan. 20: Teyon Ware, Oklahoma