Cyclones End OU's Perfect Season

Jan. 23, 2009

AMES, Iowa – The 11th-ranked Oklahoma wrestling squad held a lead deep into the match versus No. 3 Iowa State Friday evening, but was unable to hold on, as the Cyclones won 23-15 and halted OU's undefeated season.

The Sooners, now 14-1, drop to 1-1 in the Big 12 Conference. Their 14-0 record heading into tonight's match was the best start in program history.

Tenth-ranked sophomore Joey Fio picked up the first win of the night for OU at 125 pounds, blanking No. 6 Tyler Clark. With the victory, the reigning Big 12 Wrestler of the Week recorded his second win over a top 10 opponent this week and the third this season. The Sandpoint, Idaho, native defeated No. 8 Anthony Robles of Arizona State last Sunday and beat No. 8 Obenson Blanc of Oklahoma State on Dec. 7.

Oklahoma extended its lead when an injury default by No. 7 Nick Fanthorpe gave Brian Shelton a win at 133 pounds, putting Oklahoma on top, 9-0.

Nick Gallick, ranked second, stopped the bleeding for Iowa State by posting a 10-3 decision over redshirt freshman Seth Vernon. The win pulled the Cyclones within six, 9-3.

Thirteenth-ranked Kyle Terry made it a 12-3 Sooner lead with a 6-0 defeat of No. 18 Mitch Mueller. With the win, Terry pushed his win-streak to an impressive 19 matches and improved to 20-1 on the season.

Number seven Cyler Sanderson inched ISU to back to within three, 12-9, after winning by fall over No. 16 Shane Vernon.

The Cyclones took their first lead of the evening, 13-12, after No. 6 Jon Reader won decisively at 165 pounds, defeating Ryan Smith by a 16-2 final.

Jeff James (No. 9) then dominated a top-10 battle at 174 pounds by blanking No. 8 Duke Burk, 4-0. The win put the Sooners back on top, 15-13. James improved to 20-1 on the year, a perfect 15-0 in duals and extended his win-streak to 18 matches.

Oklahoma next lost a crucial match at 184 pounds when No. 20 Jerome Ward upset 19th-ranked Pat Flynn, 5-2. Iowa State took back a one point lead heading into the 197-pound bout, 16-15.

Ranked first in the nation, Jake Varner flexed his muscles by handling No. 11 Eric Lapotsky of Oklahoma by 16-5 major decision, giving Iowa State its largest lead of the night, 20-15.

The heavyweight match could not be decided in regulation, but it was No. 3 David Zabriskie topping No. 19 Nathan Fernandez, 4-2, in double-overtime.

Oklahoma will return home and look to rebound tonight's loss against North Carolina State on Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. The Sooners will compete alongside the OU women's gymnastics team in the second annual “Beauty and the Beast” event.

MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS

125: No. 10 Joey Fio (OU) dec. No. 6 Tyler Clark (ISU), 4-0
133: Brian Shelton (OU) inj. def. No. 7 Nick Fanthorpe (ISU)
141: No. 2 Nick Gallick (ISU) dec. Seth Vernon (OU), 10-3
149: No. 13 Kyle Terry (OU) dec. No. 18 Mitch Mueller (ISU), 6-0
157: No. 7 Cyler Sanderson (ISU) fall No. 16 Shane Vernon (OU), 6:41
165: No. 6 Jon Reader (ISU) maj. dec. Ryan Smith (OU), 16-2
174: No. 9 Jeff James (OU) dec. No. 8 Duke Burk (ISU), 4-0
184: No. 20 Jerome Ward (ISU) dec. No. 19 Pat Flynn (OU), 5-2
197: No. 1 Jake Varner (ISU) maj. dec. No. 11 Eric Lapotsky (OU), 16-5
HWT: No. 3 David Zabriskie (ISU) dec. No. 19 Nathan Fernandez (OU), 4-2

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