OU Wrestlers Finish Third At Big 12 Tournament

March 5, 2000

Complete Results

LINCOLN, Neb. - The fourth-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team scored 65 points to finish in third place at the 2000 Big 12 Tournament at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb., tonight. Oklahoma State won the tournament with 84 points and was followed by Iowa State with 68. Nebraska (49.5) and Missouri (14.5) placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

OU wrestlers Michael Lightner (141) and Byron Tucker (174) claimed individual titles for the Sooners. The championship was Lightner's third Big 12 title, making him OU's first three-time conference champion since Steve Williams claimed three consecutive titles from 1980-82. He also became the first Sooner to win three Big 12 Championships. Seven OU wrestlers automatically qualified for NCAA Championships and two received wildcard berths.

Four Sooners (Quantres Bates at 125, Lightner, David Kjeldgaard at 157 and Tucker) advanced to the finals. Lightner decisioned OSU's Jamill Kelly, 3-2, in the finals and Tucker won by major decision, 13-3, over John Kopnisky of Missouri. Bates and Kjeldgaard earned runner-up finishes after Bates lost to OSU's Jeff Ragan, 12-7, and Kjeldgaard injury defaulted to Nebraska's Bryan Snyder.

Three more Sooners (Robbie Waller at 165, Tommy Grossman at 184 and Brent Boeshans at heavyweight) finished third. Waller pinned Nebraska's Tony Denke in 6:40. Grossman, who came into the tournament as the fourth seed, was awarded third place when Husker Charles McTorry injury defaulted. Boeshans fell to OSU's Dave Anderton, 9-5, in the semifinals before defeating MU's Chad Hertzog, 6-4, for third place.

Jared Frayer (149) and Orville Palmer (197) received wildcard berths to the NCAA Championships.

"We knew coming in that we were not the favorite," said OU Head Coach Jack Spates. "I'm disappointed, we didn't wrestle with the intensity that it takes at this level. Fortunately, we have a week and a half to find it before the NCAA Championships. Kudos to Michael Lightner, our first three-time Big 12 champion and our first three-time conference champion since Dr. Death (Steve Williams) and to Byron Tucker who was simply dominant."

"I knew that if I wrestled up to my ability that I would be a champion," said Lightner. "I came in favored, so it was just a matter of backing it up."

"I'm pleased with the way things went," commented Tucker. "I wanted to be in control the entire match, and I think I was. I didn't want to come out and do things in vain, I just wanted to diligently pursue my goal. After this, I feel really confident heading into nationals. Winning the Big 12 title was something that I really wanted to accomplish, and now it's over and done with. The ultimate goal is to win the national championship. It is a true mental and physical test. I think it's going to come down to how focused I can stay on the goal."

Oklahoma will return to the mat when it travels to the NCAA Wrestling Championships in St. Louis, Mo., March 16-18 at the Kiel Center.

Oklahoma Individual Results
125:Quantres Bates - Runner up
133:Witt Durden - Fourth place
141:Michael Lightner - Champion
149:Jared Frayer - Fifth place
157:David Kjeldgaard - Runner up
165:Robbie Waller - Third place
174:Byron Tucker - Champion
184:Tom Grossman - Third place
197:Orville Palmer - Fourth place
Hwt:Brent Boeshans - Third place

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Wrestlers Finish Third At Big 12 Tournament

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors