Spates Bids for 200th OU Victory

Nov. 18, 2008

Wrestling vs. Central Oklahoma
Date	Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. CT
Location	Norman, Okla. \| McCasland Field House
Tickets	Admission is Free \| Live Scoring
Promotions	• First 500 fans receive OU schedule magnets • "Youth Wrestling Night"

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma wrestling squad will host its second dual of the season this Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., at the Howard McCasland Field House, as head coach Jack Spates will bid for his 200th victory at OU against the Oklahoma City Stars (4-1).

"We are excited to be back at home on the mat taking on a young but talented program," Spates said. "Oklahoma City upset D-II power Central Oklahoma last year so we will not be taking them lightly."

The 19th-ranked Sooners (1-0) defeated Central Oklahoma last week by a 39-0 final, winning all ten bouts. Oklahoma recorded two pins and four major decisions in the shutout.

Six Sooners remain ranked this week, beginning with 125-pound No. 16 Joey Fio. Zack Bailey is No. 9 at 141 pounds, Kyle Terry is No. 16 at 149 pounds and Shane Vernon is No. 14 among 157-pounders. Jeff James and Eric Lapotsky round out the group at No. 10 at 174 and 197 pounds, respectively.

Season Stats | 2008-09 Media Guide | Match Notes | Sooner Bios

Spates' overall record at OU stands at 199-88-1. Averaging 14 wins a season, he has led Oklahoma to 13 straight campaigns of 10 wins or more and is second in all-time victories by an OU head coach. He would become just the second coach in school history to notch 200 wins, joining Stan Abel (coached from 1973-93, 279 wins).

"As much as anything, all the wins are a testament to the great kids at OU," Spates said. "I am very proud of all of the young men over the years and I look forward to many more victories."

Oklahoma will meet the Stars for the third time in history. The previous two duals occurred in the last two seasons, with the Sooners winning 44-0 last year and 55-0 in 2007.

OU vs. OCU Promotions

First 500 fans attending Thursday's match will receive an OU schedule magnet. It will also mark "youth wrestling night." The Sooners will also hold an exhibition match prior to the 7 p.m., dual, competing versus UT-Arlington. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and admission is free to the public.

Scouting OCU

The Stars are ranked No. 7 in NAIA and are 4-1 this season after defeating Grand Canyon, 32-12, and Neosho County, 37-9. Menlo, ranked second, beat Oklahoma City by a 26-15 final in a battle of top ten NAIA programs. Tuesday, the Stars beat Hannibal-Grange 44-6 and Bacone, 38-13.

OCU is coached by Archie Randall, who is in his third season as head coach with a 29-19-1 overall record. Before leading the Stars, Randall led a powerhouse at El Reno High School, home of current Sooners Jeff James and Brian Shelton. He holds the title as Oklahoma's winningest high school coach and won 11 consecutive team tournament championships.

Probable Sooner Starters (Weight)	Hometown (Year)	Record
No. 16 Joey Fio (125)	Sandpoint, Idaho (So.)	4-1
David Armstrong (133)	Cleveland, Ohio (Sr.)	2-2
No. 9 Zack Bailey (141)	Kansas City, Mo. (RSo.)	4-0
No. 16 Kyle Terry (149)	Midwest City, Okla. (RJr.)	5-1
No. 14 Shane Vernon (157)	Broken Arrow, Okla. (RJr.)	3-1
Ryan Smith (165)	Prineville, Ore. (RFr.)	3-2
No. 10 Jeff James (174)	El Reno, Okla. (RSo.)	3-1
Pat Flynn (184)	Quakertown, Pa. (RSo.)	5-1
No. 10 Eric Lapotsky (197)	Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Jr.)	5-0
Nathan Fernandez (HWT)	Lawton, Okla. (RSo.)	3-2

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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