OU and Bronchos in Home Opener

Wrestling vs. Central Oklahoma
Date	Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. CT
Location	Norman, Okla. \| McCasland Field House
Tickets	Admission is Free \| Live Scoring
Promotions	• 50 cent hot dog and coke night • First 250 fans receive OU wrestling rally towel

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma wrestling team will kick off the 2008-09 dual season at home this Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., when it hosts Central Oklahoma at McCasland Field House.

The Sooners, ranked No. 18 nationally, successfully began the season last weekend at the Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Classic by winning their 10th straight team title. OU topped an impressive field on its way to the championship, including No. 15 Edinboro and No. 18 Central Michigan.

"We are off to a good start and my staff is excited to see our guys perform under the lights at home," head coach Jack Spates said. "There will be a lot of Oklahoma action with these two schools squaring off and we encourage fans to come out and cheer us to victory."

Match Notes | 2008-09 Media Guide

Five Sooners in Thursday's starting lineup are individually ranked. Joey Fio is No. 16 at 125 pounds, Kyle Terry is No. 15 at 149 pounds and Shane Vernon is No. 14 among 157-pounders. Jeff James and Eric Lapotsky are No. 10 at 174 and 197 pounds, respectively.

OU visited UCO last season on Dec. 7, prevailing by a 27-6 final after winning eight of 10 bouts. Thursday will mark the 50th meeting between the two Oklahoma schools, with the Sooners owning a 40-8-1 record versus the Bronchos.

OU vs. UCO Promotions

Fans can enjoy 50 cent hot dog and coke night Thursday evening. The first 250 fans entering the match will receive an OU wrestling rally towel.

Scouting UCO

The University of Central Oklahoma (No. 6 in Div.-II) is coming off a rout of Grand Canyon last Saturday. Winning by a 42-3 final, the Bronchos won nine straight bouts after losing the opening match at 174 pounds.

UCO is coached by David James, now in his 27th season. His overall dual record stands at 308-105-4, and has led the Bronchos to 12 national championships. Last season, he became only the 35th coach in college wrestling history to reach the 300-win plateau.

Probable Sooner Starters (Weight)	Hometown (Year)	Record
No. 15 Joey Fio (125)	Sandpoint, Idaho (So.)	3-1
David Armstrong (133)	Cleveland, Ohio (Sr.)	1-2
Brian Shelton or Seth Vernon (141)	El Reno, Okla., and Tulsa, Okla.	1-2, 0-0
No. 15 Kyle Terry (149)	Midwest City, Okla. (RJr.)	4-1
No. 14 Shane Vernon (157)	Broken Arrow, Okla. (RJr.)	2-1
Ryan Smith (165)	Prineville, Ore. (RFr.)	2-2
No. 10 Jeff James (174)	El Reno, Okla. (RSo.)	2-1
Pat Flynn (184)	Quakertown, Pa. (RSo.)	4-1
No. 10 Eric Lapotsky (197)	Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Jr.)	4-0
Nathan Fernandez (HWT)	Lawton, Okla. (RSo.)	2-2

Sooner Notes

SOONERS AND BRONCHOS HISTORY...
The Sooners and Bronchos squared off last season in Oklahoma's sixth match on Dec. 7, 2007, in Edmond, Okla., with OU defeating UCO, 27-6. Winning eight of 10 matches on the evening, the Sooners improved to 40-8-1 all-time against Central Oklahoma.

OPENING DUAL SUCCESS...
Head coach Jack Spates is 13-1-1 in opening duals in his 15 seasons at Oklahoma. After beginning with a loss in 1994 and a tie in 1995 versus Oklahoma State, the Sooners have reeled off 13 straight victories under Spates. Of those 13 opening wins, eight have come against Central Oklahoma. Also in that span, OU is outscoring its opponents 484-64, winning by an average margin of 37-5.

NOVEMBER EQUALS SUCCESS...
Entering his 16th season as head coach, Jack Spates has yet to lose a November dual at Oklahoma. His record stands at 19-0-1 for the month.

SPATES' MILESTONE...
Jack Spates enters his 16th season with a 198-88-11 dual record at Oklahoma, just two victories shy of reaching the 200-win plateau. Averaging 14 wins a season, Spates has led OU to 13 straight campaigns of 10 wins or more and is second in all-time victories by a head coach in OU wrestling history. He would become just the second coach in school history to notch 200 wins, joining Stan Abel (coached from 1973-93, 279 wins).

LAPOTSKY RISING...
Junior and first year Sooner starter Eric Lapotsky has recorded a pin in 60 percent of his matches so far as a Sooner. In 20 matches, he has pinned 12 opponents. Despite sitting out last season after transferring from Bucknell, the Mt. Carmel, Pa., native is ranked No. 10 nationally among 197-pounders.

NEW YEAR, SAME RESULTS...
Redshirt sophomore Zack Bailey led the Sooner team last season in tournament victories (21) and total wins (28). The Kansas City, Mo., native started this season strong, winning all four of his matches last week at the Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Classic on his way to first place. The returning NCAA qualifier is ranked No. 8 nationally among 141-pounders.

NEXT UP...
Oklahoma will host Oklahoma City on Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., at the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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