University of Oklahoma Athletics

Wrestlers Finish Sixth at NCAA Championships

June 11, 1999 | Wrestling

By: Athletics Communications

March 20, 1999

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania - The fifth-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team claimed All-America honors in four weight classes en route to a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. National champion Iowa (100.5), Minnesota (98.5), Oklahoma State (84), Penn State (78.5) and Iowa State (78.5) finished ahead of the Sooners (73.5). The finish was OU's highest under head coach Jack Spates.

Seniors Shane Valdez and Rodney Jones became three-time All-Americans when Valdez finished fourth at 125 pounds and Jones was runner-up at 165 pounds. Sophomore Michael Lightner earned his second All-America certificate, finishing as runner-up at 141 pounds. Senior heavyweight John Henry Ward became an All-American by placing sixth. Lightner also set the single season record for victories by winning 42 matches this season, breaking the old record of 40 wins.

Oklahoma finished the dual season with a record of 18-5-1, one win shy of tying the school record. This season also marks the first time since 1995 that two OU wrestlers advanced to the individual finals.

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