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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Wrestling Reels in Top 20 Ranking
September 02, 2008 | Wrestling
Sept. 2, 2008
NORMAN, Okla. - The 2008-09 University of Oklahoma wrestling team ranks among the top 20 teams in the country according to the preseason Wrestling International Newsmagazine (W.I.N.) poll. The Sooners are tabbed No. 20 as a team and six wrestlers were listed in the top 20 individual rankings for each weight class.
Senior Will Rowe (149 pounds) and junior Eric Lapotsky (197 pounds) are each ranked No. 10. Lapotsky, who transferred to OU last season from Bucknell, becomes eligible for the Sooners this season.
Redshirt-sophomore Zack Bailey is No. 14 at 141 pounds, sophomore Joey Fio is No. 16 at 125 pounds and junior Chad Terry ranks No. 17 among 157-pounders. Junior Brian Shelton at 133 pounds rounds out the group at No. 19.
W.I.N. selected reigning champion Iowa as the favorite to win the national title once again and ranked four Big 12 teams in the top 10 (No. 3 Iowa State, No. 5 Missouri, No. 6 Oklahoma State and No. 8 Nebraska).
Coming off a 14-5 record last season, its most wins in four years, Oklahoma returns three NCAA qualifiers and seven starters.
| Individually Ranked Sooners | Hometown (Year) | Weight Class |
| No. 16 Joey Fio | Sandpoint, Idaho (So.) | 125 Pounds |
| No. 19 Brian Shelton | El Reno, Okla. (Jr.) | 133 Pounds |
| No. 14 Zack Bailey | Kansas City, Mo. (RSo.) | 141 Pounds |
| No. 10 Will Rowe | Arlington, Texas (Sr.) | 149 Pounds |
| No. 17 Chad Terry | Midwest City, Okla. (Jr.) |
157 Pounds |
| No. 10 Eric Lapotsky | Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Jr.) |
197 Pounds |
| Team (First Place Votes) | 2007 Record |
| 1. Iowa | 21-1 |
| 2. Ohio State | 19-4 |
| 3. Iowa State | 16-4 |
| 4. Cornell | 9-5 |
| 5. Missouri | 9-4-1 |
| 6. Oklahoma State | 16-3-1 |
| 7. Illinois | 13-4 |
| 8. Nebraska | 14-3 |
| 9. Penn State | 14-5 |
| 10. Michigan | 16-8 |
| 11. Minnesota | 14-6 |
| 12. Northwestern | 8-9 |
| 13. Boise State | 11-2 |
| 14. Central Michigan | 16-2 |
| 15. Wisconsin | 14-4-1 |
| 16. Indiana | 13-8 |
| 17. Maryland | 15-4 |
| 18. Edinboro | 10-3 |
| 19. West Virginia | 8-5 |
| 20. Oklahoma | 14-5 |
| 21. Penn | 12-5 |
| 22. Old Dominion | 17-3 |
| 23. Kent State | 14-5 |
| 24. Navy | 6-4 |
| 25. Northern Iowa | 7-5-1 |
WR Highlights: Big 12 Championships (Day Two)
Sunday, March 09
WR Highlights: Big 12 Championships (Day One)
Saturday, March 08
WR Highlights: OU 32, Arizona State 6
Sunday, February 16
WR Highlights: OU 23, Missouri 13
Saturday, February 01
