Wrestlers Open Season Ranked in Top 20

Oct. 26, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma wrestling team will begin the 2009-10 season ranked No. 18 according to InterMat's preseason poll. Additionally, five Sooners are individually ranked, including three in the top 10.

Senior Kyle Terry leads all Sooners ranked No. 6 at 149 pounds. The defending Big 12 champion will challenge to qualify for his third NCAA Championships of his career. Also ranked in the top 10 are No. 8 Eric Lapotsky at 197 pounds and No. 9 Jeff James competing at 174 pounds.

Ranked No. 13 at 157 pounds is Chad Terry and Nathan Fernandez is No. 15 among heavyweights.

All five Big 12 wrestling programs are represented in the poll, led by No. 2 Iowa State. Oklahoma State is sixth, followed by Nebraska and Missouri at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively.

InterMat chose Iowa to claim its third straight NCAA title. Cornell (fourth) and Minnesota (fifth) round out the top five.

The Sooner squad will battle six teams ranked in the Top 25 this season. Other ranked opponents on this season's schedule are No. 17 Arizona State and No. 23 Cal Poly.

Oklahoma hosts its annual Red/White scrimmage on Nov. 5 inside the Howard McCasland Field House before opening the season on the road in Edmond on Nov. 11.

Individually Ranked Sooners	Hometown (Year)	Weight Class
No. 6 Kyle Terry	Midwest City, Okla. (Sr.)	149 Pounds
No. 8 Eric Lapotsky	Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Sr.)	197 Pounds
No. 9 Jeff James	El Reno, Okla. (Jr.)	174 Pounds
No. 13 Chad Terry	Midwest City, Okla. (Sr.)	157 Pounds
No. 15 Nathan Fernandez	Lawton, Okla. (Jr.)	285 Pounds

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Wrestlers Open Season Ranked in Top 20

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