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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Wrestlers Reel in No. 17 Preseason Ranking
October 05, 2009 | Wrestling
Oct. 5, 2009
NORMAN, Okla. - The 2009-10 University of Oklahoma wrestling squad reeled in its first preseason ranking Monday, as Wrestling International Newsmagazine's (W.I.N) tabbed OU tied for 17th entering the season.
Additionally, Oklahoma has five wrestlers individually ranked in their respective weight classes, including three in the top eight. Leading all Sooners is senior Eric Lapotsky, ranked No. 6 among 197-pounders. Ranked seventh is 2009 Big 12 Champion Kyle Terry at 149 pounds, followed by No. 8 Jeff James competing at 174 pounds. Chad Terry is 10th at 157 pounds and Nathan Fernandez rounds out the group ranked No. 18 at heavyweight.
“It is an honor for our team and ranked wrestlers, especially those ranked in the top eight,” head coach Jack Spates said. “We can confidently say that our team is committed to exceeding these expectations. We have been working hard and dreaming very big this offseason and we look forward to a successful year.”
W.I.N. selected back-to-back national champion Iowa as the favorite to win the title once again in 2010 and ranked three Big 12 teams in the top 10 (No. 2 Iowa State, No. 8 Nebraska and No. 10 Missouri). Oklahoma State is tied with the Sooners at No. 17.
Coming off a 16-4 record in 2009, its most wins in seven seasons, Oklahoma returns eight starters and six NCAA qualifiers to this year's squad. Also added to the team are 14 freshmen that comprised a stellar 2009 recruiting class that ranked in the top three nationally.
| Individually Ranked Sooners | Hometown (Year) | Weight Class |
| No. 7 Kyle Terry | Midwest City, Okla. (Sr.) | 149 Pounds |
| No. 10 Chad Terry | Midwest City, Okla. (Sr.) | 157 Pounds |
| No. 8 Jeff James | El Reno, Okla. (Jr.) | 174 Pounds |
| No. 6 Eric Lapotsky | Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Sr.) | 197 Pounds |
| No. 18 Nathan Fernandez | Lawton, Okla. (Jr.) |
285 Pounds |
| Team | Total Points |
| 1. Iowa | 90 |
| 2. Iowa State | 70 |
| 3. Cornell | 53 |
| 4. Ohio State | 52 |
| 5. Minnesota | 50 |
| 6. Maryland | 44 |
| 7. Central Michigan | 41 |
| 8. Nebraska | 40 |
| 9. Boise State | 38.5 |
| 10. Missouri | 36.5 |
| T11. Arizona State | 29.5 |
| T11. Wisconsin | 29.5 |
| 13. Penn State | 28.5 |
| 14. Indiana | 26 |
| T15. Edinboro | 24.5 |
| T15. Harvard | 24.5 |
| T17. Oklahoma | 24 |
| T17. Oklahoma State | 24 |
| T17. Virginia | 24 |
| 20. American | 23.5 |
| 21. Kent State | 23 |
| 22. Michigan State | 21 |
| 23. Virginia Tech | 20 |
| T24. Duke | 17.5 |
| T24. Bloomsburg | 17.5 |
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