Pair of Weekend Duals Await OU

Jan. 15, 2009

Wrestling vs. Maryland (1/16) and Arizona State (1/18)
Date	Friday, Jan. 16 (7 p.m. CST) and Sunday, Jan. 18 (7 p.m. CST)
Location	Norman, Okla. (1/16) and Tempe, Ariz. (1/18)
Match Info	Live Stats \| Webcast
Tickets	Admission is Free to the Public
Opponents	vs. Maryland (1/16) and at Arizona State (1/18)

NORMAN, Okla. - The No. 11th-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team is set to compete in a pair of duals this weekend, playing host to Maryland on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m., at the McCasland Field House, then hitting the road to visit Arizona State on Sunday at 7 p.m. CST, in Tempe, Ariz.

On Friday, the undefeated Sooners (12-0) look to become the first OU squad in program history to begin the season 13-0. They are currently tied for the best season-start with the 1985 team led by Stan Abel.

Fans may follow the Sooner and Terrapin match via live stats, or by webcast. The dual is also set to be broadcast live to a national audience by Takedown Radio, hosted by Scott Casber.

MATCH INFO

SOONER STARTER BIOS | OKLAHOMA-MARYLAND MATCH NOTES

Oklahoma boasts seven wrestlers ranked among the nation's elite heading into this weekend, led by No. 9 Jeff James at 174 pounds. Also in the top 10 is 197-pounder Eric Lapotsky, ranked 10th. Joey Fio is No. 11 at 125 pounds, Shane Vernon is No. 14 at 157 pounds and Ranked 15th is 149-pound Kyle Terry. Pat Flynn at 184 pounds is No. 19 and heavyweight Nathan Fernandez rounds out the group ranked No. 20.

Maryland has three ranked in the top 20, led by No. 8 Steve Bell at 133 pounds. Hudson Taylor is No. 11 at 197 pounds and Alex Krom is No. 14 at 141 pounds.

Arizona State has two ranked this week and both appear in the top 10. Ranked No. 6 is Chris Drouin at 141 pounds and Anthony Robles is eighth at 125 pounds.

Probable Sooner Starters (Weight)	Hometown (Year)	Record
No. 11 Joey Fio (125)	Sandpoint, Idaho (So.)	11-3
Brian Shelton (133)	El Reno, Okla. (Jr.)	8-3
Seth Vernon (141)	Tulsa, Okla. (RFr.)	12-3
No. 15 Kyle Terry (149)	Midwest City, Okla. (RJr.)	18-1
No. 14 Shane Vernon (157)	Broken Arrow, Okla. (RJr.)	11-4
Ryan Smith (165)	Prineville, Ore. (RFr.)	15-3
No. 9 Jeff James (174)	El Reno, Okla. (RSo.)	17-1
No. 19 Pat Flynn (184)	Quakertown, Pa. (RSo.)	18-2
No. 10 Eric Lapotsky (197)	Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Jr.)	19-1
No. 20 Nathan Fernandez (HWT)	Lawton, Okla. (RSo.)	16-4

SCOUTING OPPONENTS

The Maryland Terrapins are 3-5-1 entering the match with OU. In its most recent action, Maryland dropped a dual versus North Carolina, 19-15, on Jan. 11, the same squad Oklahoma beat at the Lonestar Duals by a 27-3 final. The Terrapins are tested, having competed against the Big 12's Missouri and No. 1 Iowa (both losses).

The Terrapins are led by first year head coach Kerry McCoy, previously the Stanford head coach for three seasons (2005-2008). McCoy, a 1997 Penn-State graduate, was a three-time All-American and a two-time Olympian in 2000 and 2004.

Arizona State enters the dual with Oklahoma on Sunday with a 4-3 overall record this season. Showcasing two wrestlers ranked in the top 10 at 125 and 141 pounds, Arizona State will look to avenge a loss to the Sooners last year in Norman.

The Sun Devils are led by Thom Ortiz, now in his eighth season at the helm. With a 78-55-1 career record, Ortiz has led ASU to three Pac-10 titles.

OKLAHOMA MATCH NOTES

SERIES HISTORY...
The Sooners are a perfect 5-0 all-time against Maryland, with the last win coming during the 1991-1992 season, before current Sooner head coach Jack Spates was at Oklahoma. OU bested the Terrapins by a slim 17-16 final margin to take the victory.

Oklahoma is 23-13-1 all-time against Arizona State, with the most recent victory coming last season. The Sooners were victorious by a 31-9 final, winning the final eight bouts after losing the first two to overwhelm the Sun Devils on Jan. 25.

CHASING HISTORY...
The Sooners are aiming for a perfect 13-0 start to the season this Friday against the Terrapins. With the victory, it would be the best start in program history. Dating back to records beginning in 1920, no OU team has started with as many dual wins without a loss. This year's squad is currently tied for the best start, 12-0, with the 1985 team led by Stan Abel.

NATIONAL AUDIENCE FRIDAY...
Friday's match versus the Terrapins is set to be broadcast live to a national radio audience by Scott Casber and Takedown Radio. Tune into Takedownradio.com for the coverage of the match, beginning at 6:30 p.m. CST.

LAST TIME OUT...
The Sooners improved to 12-0 with a 23-14 win over the Chattanooga Mocs last Sunday, Jan. 11. Fighting illnesses, Oklahoma was down twice in the match only to rally and win handily. Sooner 165-pounder Ryan Smith was forced to forfeit due to sickness, putting the Sooners behind, 10-14. Jeff James started the rally at 174 pounds with a win, followed by Pat Flynn, Eric Lapotsky and Nathan Fernandez.

Also posting wins on the afternoon were Joey Fio, Kyle Terry and Chad Terry. Competing at 157 pounds, Chad blanked No. 19 Joseph Knox, 6-0. The win improved the Sooners to 12-0 on the season.

HOME SWEET HOME...
Now in his 16th season, OU Head Coach Jack Spates owns an 82-24-2 overall record (.783). During the 2001-02 year, he posted the most wins at home (10) in his tenure. Last season, the Sooners boasted a 7-2 mark. Oklahoma is 4-0 at home so far this season, with wins over Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, then-No. 20 Old Dominion and then-No. 9 Oklahoma State.

The Sooners will be on the road Sunday, where the Sooners are 8-0 this season against opponents outside the friendly confines of the McCasland Field House in Norman.

SOONERS DOMINATE EARLY...
Oklahoma is 12-0 this season, outscoring opponents by an average of 32-6. The Sooners' largest scoring output was a 47-0 stomping of Oklahoma City on Nov. 20. OU's 18-15 win over Oklahoma State on Dec. 7 was the closest an opponent has finished to OU all season.

FOLLOW THE SOONERS TO NATIONALS...
College wrestling fans still have the opportunity to secure excellent seats when the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships arrive in St. Louis in March. Don't miss your chance to take in all the action at the Scottrade Center.

All-session tickets to the 2009 championships are on sale now. To order, call (800) 745-3000 (toll free).

STOUT 2009 RECRUITS HERE, ON THE WAY...
Oklahoma wrestling head coach Jack Spates signed five top-70 recruits in the early signing period to wrap up one of the most impressive recruiting classes at OU in recent years. Additionally, the Sooners will welcome a talented Kansas senior and a transfer from Old Dominion in January.

Headlining the class is Jake Kemerer from Hempfield Area, Pa., ranked No. 16 overall according to Intermat and rated No. 4 in the 171-pound class by Amateur Wrestling News. Also inked for next season is Alex Ekstrom from Palmyra-Macedonia, N.Y., ranked No. 31 overall and rated the third-best among 140-pounders.

Joining them are the Lester twins, Matt and Nick, ranked No. 33 and No. 38 overall, respectively. The two hail from Eureka, Mo., and each own Missouri state titles. Matt is ranked No. 2 overall among 152-pounders and is Nick No. 5 at 140 pounds.

Jarrod Patterson from Cushing, Okla., is a three-time Oklahoma state champion entering his senior year and ranked No. 6 in the 125 pound weight class nationally.

Kyle Detmer rounds out the group of seniors, garnering a 135-5 record in high school, including posting pins in 31 of 35 matches for Bishop Caroll High School in Wichita Kan., last season.

Arriving this semester is Derek Peperas, a transfer from Old Dominion. The redshirt freshman will immediately be eligible for OU upon arrival and will provide depth at 165 pounds. Winner of two New Mexico state championships, Peperas also was a two-time state runner-up.

FORMER SOONER CHAMPION JOINS STAFF...
Former Sooner wrestler Michael Lightner joined the staff this season as the volunteer assistant coach. The Marlow, Okla., native claimed the national title in 2001 for OU and was crowned Big 12 champion four times at 141 pounds.

Lightner can be found in various Sooner records, including second in career wins with a 144-16 record. His 37-0 record during his senior campaign led him to the national title, becoming the 13th Sooner in school history to go undefeated in a season.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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