Sooner Wrestlers Rise to No. 9 Nationally

Jan. 26, 2010

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma moved up one spot to No. 9 in this week's InterMat team rankings released Tuesday. The Sooners (12-2-1) were slotted No. 10 last week before falling to No. 2 Iowa State, 21-12, last Friday.

The Sooners are one of four Big 12 teams ranked this week. Iowa State and Oklahoma State remain No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, and Missouri is ranked 17th.

Oklahoma boasts eight individuals ranked in the top 20, led by No. 3 Zack Bailey at 141 pounds. It marks the junior's highest ranking of his career, now 18-5 on the season.

Also ranked in the top five is 149-pound Kyle Terry, slotted fourth. The Midwest City, Okla., product is 19-2 this season, including 11-0 in duals. Dating back to last season, Terry owns 29-straight dual wins.

Additionally, Eric Lapotsky ranks No. 6 at 197 pounds, Shane Vernon is No. 11 at 157 pounds and heavyweight Nathan Fernandez is No. 12. Rounding out ranked Sooners are No. 18 Tyler Caldwell (165 pounds) and 19th-ranked Jarrod Patterson (125) and Jeff James (174).

The Sooners will get back on the mat next Thursday, Feb. 4, when they travel to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.