Preseason Poll tabs OU No. 20

Oct. 23, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma wrestling team is tabbed No. 20 in the preseason USA Today/NWCA/Intermat rankings released Thursday.

Four Sooners were honored in the individual standings, including OU's three returning NCAA qualifiers from last season in Joey Fio (No. 15, 125 pounds), Zack Bailey (No. 8, 141 pounds) and Will Rowe (No. 8, 149 pounds). Junior Eric Lapotsky, a transfer from Bucknell, is slated No. 10 among 197-pounders.

Oklahoma joins four other Big 12 teams ranked in the poll, including No. 2 Iowa State, No. 5 Missouri, No. 6 Nebraska and No. 7 Oklahoma State.

The Sooners were also ranked No. 20 in the preseason W.I.N. poll released on Sept. 2.

OU returns seven starters from last year's lineup, a group that upended seven teams ranked in the top 30 to end the year. Its 14-5 record in 2008 was its most in four seasons.

Oklahoma will travel to the campus of Central Oklahoma on Oct. 29, for the annual Red/White Classic at 7 p.m., to end the preseason and will officially kickoff this year's campaign on Nov. 8, at the Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Classic in Brockport, N.Y.

Individually Ranked Sooners	Hometown (Year)	Weight Class
No. 15 Joey Fio	Sandpoint, Idaho (So.)	125 Pounds
No. 8 Zack Bailey	Kansas City, Mo. (RSo.)	141 Pounds
No. 8 Will Rowe	Arlington, Texas (Sr.)	149 Pounds
No. 10 Eric Lapotsky	Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Jr.)	197 Pounds

Team (First Place Votes)	Points
1. Iowa (11)	275
2. Iowa State	256
3. Cornell	253
4. Ohio State	247
5. Missouri	231
6. Nebraska	209
T7. Penn State	198
T7. Oklahoma State	198
9. Illinois	193
10. Michigan	181
11. Northwestern	160
12. Minnesota	152
13. Wisconsin	127
14. Boise State	126
15. Edinboro	123
16. Indiana	110
17. Maryland	94
18. Central Michigan	90
19. Old Dominion	58
20. Oklahoma	49
T21. Navy	36
T21. Penn	36
23. Virginia	34
24. Northern Iowa	33
25. West Virginia	32

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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