Oklahoma Wrestlers Win Two in California

Jan. 14, 2001

FRESNO, Calif. - The sixth-ranked Oklahoma wrestling claimed two duals today by downing Cal Poly, 28-6, and Fresno State, 21-16. With the two wins, the Sooners improve to 10-1 on the season. Senior 141-pounder Michael Lightner won two matches on the day to move into second place in all-time victories at OU with 129. Lightner trails only Dan Chaid, who finished his career with 150 wins.

Lightner opened the day with a pin in 1:41 in OU's first dual against Cal Poly in San Louis Obispo. The Sooners only losses of the day came at 149 pounds when the Mustang's No. 12 Cedric Haymon upset seventh-ranked Jared Frayer, 2-0, and Chuck Sandlin's 9-5 win against Nick Curcio at 184. Robbie Waller (165) won by major decision Brian Burrows (157), Waymon May (197), Leonce Crump (heavyweight), Bo Maynes (125) and Witt Durden (133) all earned decisions.

Oklahoma faced a much tougher test in its second dual in Fresno, downing the Bulldogs, 21-16. OU won four of the dual's first five matches to jump to a 18-3 lead but Fresno State won four of the last five. Lightner opened with a technical fall to earn his 129th career win and Frayer followed with a 5-3 sudden-victory decision. FSU's Nathan Vasquez beat Burrows, 7-2, at 157 before Waller won by major decision and Barger pinned his opponent in 6:31 at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively. The teams split the next two matches with the Bulldog's Jason Rossitti claiming the 184-pound bout and May winning at 197. Fresno State won the dual's final three matches. Heavyweight Billy Blunt beat Crump on a third-period stalling call, 2-1, while top-ranked Stephen Abas (125) and Derrick Hayes (133) also claimed victories.

"It was a good hard fought bout," said Sooner Head Coach Jack Spates. "We wrestled with good intensity. Michael Lightner was, as always, exceptional and Robbie Waller was dominant. Michael Barger had a great outing. He was aggressive in going for the fall. Brian Burrows is coming off an injury and will only get better. Leonce Crump had a great match but lost on a controversial stalling call. We'll have to step it up at the National Duals, but we're coming home and we're coming home 3-0."

Next weekend, OU travels to the prestigious Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals in State College, Pa. Competition will be held Jan. 20-21. Top-ranked Oklahoma State, Iowa, Minnesota and Iowa State highlight the 16-team field.

Oklahoma (9-1) 28, Cal Poly (1-4) 6 141:Michael Lightner (21-0), OU fall Aaron Gharst, Cal Poly, 1:51 149:Cedric Haymon, Cal Poly dec. Jared Frayer (17-3), OU, 2-0 157:Brian Burrows (3-1), OU dec. Josh Blagg, Cal Poly, 6-3 165:Robbie Waller (17-2), OU maj. dec. Brody Barrios, Cal Poly, 9-0 174:Michael Barger (16-4), OU dec. Steve Strange, Cal Poly, 5-0 184:Chuck Sandlin, Cal Poly dec. Nick Curcio (4-11), OU, 7-5 197:Waymon May (15-6), OU dec. David Schenk, Cal Poly, 6-4 Hwt:Leonce Crump (17-5), OU dec. Dan Leahy, Cal Poly, 10-3 125:Bo Maynes (18-3), OU dec. Jaime Garza, Cal Poly, 7-1 133:Witt Durden (15-7), OU dec. Nate Ybarra, Cal Poly, 5-2

Oklahoma (10-1) 21, Fresno State (3-5) 16 141:Michael Lightner (22-0), OU tech. fall Ralph Lopez, Fresno State, 5:21 149:Jared Frayer (18-3), OU dec. Jim Medeiros, Fresno State, 5-3 (SV) 157:Nathan Vasquez, Fresno State dec. Brian Burrows (3-2), OU, 7-2 165:Robbie Waller (18-2), OU maj. dec. Eddie Gifford, Fresno State, 13-4 174:Michael Barger (17-4), OU fall Mike Mellor, Fresno State, 6:31 184:Jason Rossotti, Fresno State maj. dec. Nick Curcio (4-12), OU, 16-8 197:Waymon May (16-6), OU dec. Tom Gohde, Fresno State, 8-3 Hwt:Billy Blunt, Fresno State dec. Leonce Crump (17-6), OU, 2-1 125:Stephen Abas, Fresno State dec. Bo Maynes (18-3), OU, 10-3 133:Derrick Hayes, Fresno State dec. Witt Durden (15-8), OU, 8-3

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Wrestlers Win Two in California

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors