Sooners Look to Break Streak Against Cyclones

Jan. 19, 2011

Oklahoma at Iowa State
Date	Friday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
Location	Ames, Iowa \| Hilton Colosium
Oklahoma Notes	Iowa State Notes
Online	Live Stats \| Webcast

NORMAN, Okla. - The seventh-ranked Oklahoma wrestling team (9-1, 0-1) travels to Ames, Iowa, to take on the 15th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

Oklahoma will attempt to snap an eight-match skid against the Cyclones dating back to 2003.

The dual will be held alongside the Cyclones 21st-ranked women's gymnastics team in their version of “Beauty and the Beast.”

“We're real eager about the challenge of competing against Iowa State,” Jack Spates said. “They are one of the premier programs in the America and finished third at last year's NCAA Championships, edging us out.

“Our guys have had great training. This is our first competition since school has started. We feel very well prepared and are excited about battling them on the mats.”

The Sooners are coming off an impressive 3-0 weekend at the Lone Star Duals in Arlington, Texas, ousting No. 8 American (40-3), The Citadel (44-6) and Harvard (36-4).

Last season Iowa State (6-5) topped the Sooners in Norman by a 21-12 final on Jan. 22.

RANKINGS RUNDOWN

Seven Sooners are ranked in this week's InterMat individual ranking, led by fourth-ranked Tyler Caldwell at 165 pounds. Senior Zack Bailey (141 pounds) sits at No. 6 and Jarrod Patterson is ranked No. 7 at 125 pounds. Chase Nelson fell just outside of the top 10 and sits at No. 11 among 157 pounders.

Nathan Fernandez stands 11th among 285 pounders, while Erich Schmidtke is 18th at 184 pounds. Jordan Keller (133) remains at No. 19 after entering the rankings for the first time two weeks ago.

Iowa State counters with five ranked wrestlers. Leading the way for the Cyclones is Jon Reader, ranked No. 1 among 174 pounders. Andrew Sorenson is ranked 10th at 165 pounds.

Jerome Ward (197 pounds) and Kyle Simonson (HWT) are ranked No. 17 and 18, respectively.

141 pounder, Chris Drouin, is ranked No. 15 but will not wrestle due to injury.

Sooner Participants (Weight)	Hometown (Year)	Record
Jarrod Patterson (125)	Cushing, Okla. (So.)	21-4
Jordan Keller (133)	Wichita, Kan. (Jr.)	13-6
Zack Bailey (141)	Kansas City, Mo. (Sr.)	18-2
Matt Lester (149)	Eureka, Mo. (RFr.)	11-5
Chase Nelson (157)	Wichita, Kan. (So.)	15-7
Tyler Caldwell (165)	Wichita, Kan. (So.)	24-3
Jeff James (174)	El Reno, Okla. (RSr.)	4-2
Ben Bridell (174)	Birmingham, Ala. (RSo.)	4-5
Erich Schmidtke (184)	Aberdeen, Wash. (RSo.)	20-7
Keldrick Hall (197)	Dallas, Texas (RSo.)	13-8
Nathan Fernandez (HWT)	Lawton, Okla. (Sr.)	16-2

SOONER WRESTLING NOTES

LAST ACTION...
The Sooners are coming off an impressive 3-0 weekend at the Lone Star Duals in Arlington, Texas, ousting No. 8 American (40-3), The Citadel (44-6) and Harvard (36-4).

OKLAHOMA VS. IOWA STATE HISTORY.
Iowa State leads the all-time series by a 48-33-3 margin. The Cyclones have won the last eight meetings against the Sooners, dating back to 2003.

Last season, then-No. 2 ISU defeated Oklahoma 21-12 in Norman on Jan. 21. Only two Sooners on the current roster recorded wins a year ago against Iowa State (Zack Bailey and Jeff James).

SPATES TO RETIRE AT END OF SEASON
Oklahoma Head Wrestling Coach Jack Spates, who is in his 18th season with the Sooners, announced Wednesday, Jan. 5 that he plans to retire from the position at the end of the current season.

"This is something that I had planned for quite a while," Spates said.

"I've been blessed by my tenure at OU. I've worked with the greatest kids, athletic director and president. I will leave with a smile on my face. It's a young man's game and a sport that requires tremendous passion and energy and I feel God is leading me in another direction at this time."

That direction may involve ministerial work. Spates received a master's degree in theology and education from Baptist Bible Seminary in 1980.

DROPPING WEIGHT
Sophomores Tyler Caldwell and Chase Nelson have dropped weight classes and will compete at 165 and 157 pounds, respectively. In addition, senior Jeff James and freshman Matt Lester also dropped to 174 and 149, respectively. Caldwell, reigning All-American at 165 pounds, has been impressive collecting a 14-2 record after moving up to 174 pounds.

NELSON EARNS MIDLANDS TITLE
After dropping to 157 pounds, Chase Nelson won five-straight bouts to earn the 157 pound title at the Midlands Championships.

UP NEXT...
The Sooners return to the friendly confines of the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman on Friday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. when they host No. 16 Nebraska.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Look to Break Streak Against Cyclones

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