Wrestlers Talk Bedlam Matchup

Dec. 1, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) will host the Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-1) this Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m., at the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman. It will mark the first Big 12 dual for both teams.

Oklahoma defeated OSU in the final Big 12 dual last season on Feb. 21, winning by an 18-15 final margin. The Sooner win broke a streak of 19-straight Cowboy victories. The two Oklahoma rivals account for 55 of the 76 conference titles combined, dating back to the Big Six.

Tickets to the in-state matchup are still available, including $15 for reserved tickets and $10 for general admission.

SoonerSports.com caught up with select Sooner starters about this weekend and their preparations for the week leading up to the Bedlam tilt.

Redshirt Sophomore Zack Bailey (141 Pounds)

On how he is preparing for the Bedlam match:
“Pretty much the same as always, considering we have been going hard the past three or four months working on our conditioning and trying to get better. The beginning of this week we are going to go really hard and then start easing back toward the end of this week.”

On if the team is ready:
“I think we are ready to go. I can tell that we are definitely more prepared than we have ever been and the whole team is excited to try and get our first Big 12 victory against Oklahoma State.”

Sophomore Joey Fio (125 Pounds)

On preparing for this weekend:
“I had a nice week off, so now I am really watching tape. I am very excited. This is a big match for me. It's the first Big 12 match of the season and I want to start off well.”

On last year's upset:
“Beating them last year was a good feeling. Our fans were crazy and it was a good atmosphere for our team. I think we are very prepared and have a better team this year. We are so in the hunt. We expect Oklahoma State to want blood on Sunday.”

Junior Eric Lapotsky (197 Pounds)

On his first Bedlam match:
“This is my first Bedlam. I am really excited. We are ready to go and we need to have a really good week of practice. Two great teams are going to go at it on Sunday and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

On the importance of this match to each school:
“I was at the Bedlam match last year here at home and it was probably the most exciting wrestling match I have ever seen in person, next to nationals. I am excited to be a part of it this year.”

Redshirt Sophomore Jeff James (174 Pounds)

On the Bedlam matchup:
“I am excited because we start Monday going hard and getting after it preparing for OSU. Last year was a packed house and everybody was excited when we won. It was one thing after another. Everything seemed to go our way, including starting at 184 pounds and Josh Weitzel getting a pin to start the match. We got the momentum going and we got a couple of upsets. It was awesome.”

On if the team is prepared:
“Our team is definitely ready. We are really excited about competing against our rivals and we have been talking about it since this summer.

Redshirt Sophomore Pat Flynn (184 Pounds)

On his preparations for the week:
“I plan on scouting a little bit, working with the coaches on some strategy and just get focused. I just am going to get prepared and do what I always do.”

On the importance of this weekend's matchup:
“It is definitely a big match. This is my first Bedlam, as well as first Big 12 match of my career here. I want to start off the right way. I think we are very prepared. I think we are going to surprise a lot of people this year.”

Redshirt Freshman Ryan Smith (165 Pounds)

On the team's focus this week:
“We need to make sure we have our heads in the right place. Keeping my weight down is something I need to focus on this week. I think we have been working hard and I think we are ready for it, mentally.”

On competing in his first Bedlam match:
“It was crazy when I watched the match last year. It was pretty intense. I am really excited to get in there.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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