Jarrod Patterson Shoots for Second Title

March 2, 2012

By Andrew Gilman

NORMAN, Okla. -- OU wrestler Jarrod Patterson isn't taking solace in the fact he's been successful this season.

He's not relying on the experience of having competed at the Big 12 championships, winning it as a freshman and finishing second last year.

And he's certainly confident knowing he was a seventh-place finisher last season at the NCAA championship.

But what Patterson does have going for him as he and the Sooners head to Columbia, Mo., Saturday for the Big 12 championship is one thing:

“I feel like I'm at my peak level,” said the junior who will represent the Sooners at 125 pounds.

And that's way more important than experience, gut feelings or past success.

“Now is the time to be peaking,” he said. “I feel like I'm there now.”

And this is the time of the year Patterson has shined in the past. Now it's time to see if 2012 is the same.

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Patterson, from Cushing, is 23-5 this season and is 15-3 in duals. In addition, Patterson is 5-1 against Big 12 competition, which should be a good reason for Patterson to feel confident heading into Saturday.

Of course, Patterson doesn't want to rely on that.

“It's really about knowing your opponent,” he said. “We've all wrestled each other a lot this year, but I know it's about me and knowing my ability to make my moves.”

Those moves are ones OU assistant coach Michael Lightner is counting on.

“We feel really good about our matchups,” Lightner said. “Jarrod has a tough road, and he'll need to be focused, but I think if he takes care of his individual areas of concentration. I think he can get the job done.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Jarrod Patterson Shoots for Second Title

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