Wrestlers Underway at Big 12's

March 7, 2009

LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners officially began the postseason Saturday morning in Lincoln, Neb., at the Big 12 Championships inside the historic NU Coliseum.

The double elimination championship format began with 10 pigtail rounds (four vs. five seeds), six involving Sooners. Oklahoma posted two victories in the opening round, led by 141-pound Seth Vernon's (four seed) 7-5 sudden-victory decision over Curtis Salazar (five seed) of Nebraska. The redshirt freshman scored a takedown in the overtime session with 11 seconds remaining to advance.

No. 10 Jeff James (four seed) at 174 pounds also recorded an opening win, defeating No. 17 Duke Burk (five seed) of Iowa State by a 6-5 decision after riding time was awarded to the El Reno, Okla., native. James used a strong four-point first period in the win.

Sooners dropping in the initial pigtail road were Chad Terry at 157 pounds, Ryan Smith at 165 pounds, Eric Lapotsky at 197 pounds and heavyweight Nathan Fernandez.

Semifinal matches will commence at 12 p.m. CST. Stay tuned to SoonerSports.com for full coverage of today's action in Lincoln.

SOONER RESULTS IN PIGTAIL ROUND

141: (4) Seth Vernon (OU) dec. (5) Curtis Salazar (NU), 7-5 (SV)
157: (4) Neil Erisman (OSU) dec. (5) Chad Terry (OU), 8-1
165: (4) Brandon Mason (OSU) dec. (5) Ryan Smith (OU), 5-0
174: (4) Jeff James (OU) dec. (5) Duke Burk (ISU), 6-5
197: (4) Clayton Foster (OSU) dec. (5) No. 11 Eric Lapotsky (OU), 6-1
HWT: (4) Tucker Lane (NU) dec. (5) Nathan Fernandez (OU), 7-3

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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