OU Home to Host Cyclones Friday

Wrestling vs. Iowa State
Date	Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. CT
Location	Norman, Okla. \| McCasland Field House
Tickets	Admission is Free
Online	Webcast Live on All-Access at SoonerSports.com
Promotions	First 50 fans receive OU wrestling t-shirt

NORMAN, Okla. - No. 18 Oklahoma looks to get back on the winning track this Friday, Jan. 25, versus No. 9 Iowa State (11-3) at 7 p.m. at the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman.

The Sooners (11-2, 0-1 in the Big 12) are coming off a defeat by No. 13 Wisconsin in last weekend's ESPNU Wrestling Invitational in Oklahoma City. Battling back after a 9-0 deficit and tying the match at 15, OU came up short in the last bout, losing 18-15.

"Our team is looking forward to getting back to Big 12 competition against an extremely talented Iowa State squad," head coach Jack Spates said. "The Big 12 has proven to be the toughest conference in the country. Our team has to be hitting on all cylinders going into this weekend."

Last season, the Cyclones defeated OU by a 27-9 final. The Sooners last beat ISU in Norman by a 27-19 margin in 2002.

The most anticipated dual of this year's matchup will be at 184 pounds, pitting undefeated Joshua Weitzel (19-0), ranked No. 7, against No. 1-ranked Cyclone Jake Varner (17-0).

Five other Sooners are ranked this week, including 157-pounder Chad Terry, who is ranked for the first week at No. 20. Brian Shelton is ranked No. 13 at 133 pounds, Zack Bailey is No. 14 at 141 pounds and Will Rowe is ninth at 149 pounds. Senior Joel Flaggert rounds out the list ranked No. 5 at 197 pounds.

Iowa State boasts seven ranked wrestlers in its lineup, including Varner. Cyclones Nick Gallick and David Bertolino are ranked No. 20 at 141 and 197 pounds, respectively. Tyler Clark is No. 17 at 125 pounds and Cyler Sanderson at 157 pounds and Jon Reader at 165 pounds are both sixth. Heavyweight David Zabriskie is No. 5.

"The Cyclones and the Sooners have two of the premiere traditions in the sport and we expect it to be a battle," Spates said. "There are going to be some great matchups, with both schools having numerous wrestlers ranked. Iowa State dominated us last season, and this team wants to ensure that does not happen again."

The matchup will be broadcasted nationally to a radio audience by Takedown Wrestling Radio at Takedownradio.com. Scott Casber and WWE icon Jim Ross will be providing coverage of the dual between the two Big 12 foes.

Admission is free to the public and doors open at 6 p.m. First 500 fans entering the match will receive a free OU wrestling T-shirt. It will also mark 50-cent hot dog night from the concessions, while supplies last. The marketing department has also declared it "WWE Night."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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