OU Sets Record, Outlasts Maryland

Jan. 16, 2009

No. 11 Oklahoma 22, Maryland 15 | Photo Gallery

QUICK STATS
Oklahoma	Statistic	Maryland
0	Pins	1
24	Takedowns	7
9	Escapes	18
4	Near falls	2
22	Final	15

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NORMAN, Okla. – The 11th-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling squad accomplished a feat Friday night that no other team in program history can rival – a perfect 13-0 record to start the season.

Oklahoma outlasted the Maryland Terrapins, 22-15, at the McCasland Field House in Norman, battling back from a 12-11 deficit after six bouts to remain undefeated.

“That was a great team we beat tonight,” head coach Jack Spates said. “We had a lot of respect for Maryland coming in. Our guys need to continue to learn how to win tough and earn points. It feels good to be 13-0.”

For the second straight dual, Oklahoma faced a deficit entering the 174-pound match. Against Chattanooga last weekend, the Sooners rallied and won handily.

Friday evening, the team rose to the occasion once again.

Trailing 12-11, 174-pound Jeff James (No. 9) turned the tide back in favor of OU with a decisive 20-4 technical fall of Patrick Klenkel. Pat Flynn then improved to 19-2 on the year with a 9-3 win over Ryan Gray to put the Sooners up 19-12.

Hudson Taylor (No. 11) took the win over No. 10 Eric Lapotsky at 197 pounds by a 6-2 decision, inching the Terrapins back to within four, 19-15.

Sooner heavyweight Nathan Fernandez would need a win or lose by only a decision to ensure an OU victory.

“I had to get a win, I wasn't worried about giving up bonus points,” Fernandez said.

The redshirt sophomore followed through. Fernandez out-toughed Patrick Gilmore, winning by a 6-2 final and improved his record to 17-4 this season, including nine straight.

“Tonight Nathan faced a situation where the match was on the line,” Spates said. “I thought he won by being aggressive and it was a really nice win for him.”

To begin the evening, 125-pound Joey Fio, ranked 11th, edged Brendan Byrne, 2-1. Junior Brian Shelton made it a 6-0 Sooner lead with a 6-1 decision over James Knox.

Alex Krom then evened the match at six all with a pin of Sooner Seth Vernon at 141 pounds.

Pushing Oklahoma back on top was redshirt junior Kyle Terry with a 21-5 stomping of Steve Fehnel at 149 pounds. Terry, ranked No. 15 in the country, now owns an impressive 17-match win streak.

A pair of Maryland victories put the Terrapins back on top, 12-11, after 157-pound Kyle John upset No. 14 Shane Vernon, 14-7, and Brian Letters bested Ryan Smith at 165 pounds, 7-3.

The Sooner squad will look to improve to 14-0 this Sunday, Jan. 18, when it travels to Tempe, Ariz., to face the Arizona State Sun Devils at 7 p.m. CST

MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS

125: No. 11 Joey Fio (OU) dec. Brendan Byrne (UM), 2-1
133: Brian Shelton (OU) dec. James Knox (UM), 6-1
141: No. 14 Alex Krom (UM) fall Seth Vernon (OU), 4:40
149: No. 15 Kyle Terry (OU) tech. fall Steve Fehnel (UM), 21-5
157: Kyle John (UM) dec. No. 14 Shane Vernon (OU), 14-7
165: Brian Letters (UM) dec. Ryan Smith (OU), 7-3
174: No. 9 Jeff James (OU) tech. fall Patrick Klenkel (UM), 20-4
184: No. 19 Pat Flynn (OU) dec. Ryan Gray (UM), 9-3
197: No. 11 Hudson Taylor (UM) dec. No. 10 Eric Lapotsky (OU), 6-2
HWT: No. 20 Nathan Fernandez (OU) dec. Patrick Gilmore (UM), 6-2

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