Howe, Rutt Bolster Sooners' Lineup

May 22, 2012

NORMAN, Okla. - Coach Mark Cody and the Oklahoma wrestling program added two outstanding wrestlers to the Sooners' 2012-13 roster as three-time All-American and former National Champion Andrew Howe and All-American Travis Rutt became Sooners Tuesday after transferring from the University of Wisconsin.

"Howe and Rutt are great additions to what I feel is already a very solid recruiting class," Cody said. "They have both proven that they can compete at a high level and I believe they can give this program a great jumpstart towards what we are trying to accomplish here at the University of Oklahoma. This is great for our program and I look forward to coaching these great young men."

Howe, the 2010 NCAA national champion and three-time All-American, holds a career record of 95-8 and was the NCAA runner-up as a freshman in 2009. The Cedar Lake, Minn. product finished third at NCAAs in 2011, despite suffering from an injury.

At the 2012 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials in April, Howe defeated former Sooner Tyler Caldwell in the semifinals of the 74 kg bracket, before falling to Jordan Burroughs in the finals.

Rutt, a product of New Prague, Minn., accumulated 60 wins to only 32 losses and finished seventh at NCAAs in 2011 to earn All-America honors for the first time of his career.

Howe and Rutt both wrestled at the University of Wisconsin from 2008-11 and will be eligible immediately after taking an Olympic redshirt year in 2011-12.

Andrew Howe | 165/174 pounds

Howe (Cedar Lake, Ind.)...
Compiled a 95-8 record as a three year starter at Wisconsin
2011 All-American at 165 pounds (third place)
2010 NCAA Division I National Champion at 165 pounds
2009 All-American at 165 pounds (runner-up)
2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Three-time (2009, 2010 and 2011) Big Ten Champion at 165 pounds
Three-time Indiana State Champion
Compiled a 192-1 record over four years at Hanover Central High School

Projected College Weight: 165/174 pounds

Travis Rutt | 184 pounds

Rutt (New Prague, Minn.)...
Holds a 60-32 overall record during his three years as a starter for the Badgers
2011 All-American at 184 pounds (seventh place)
2011 Third place at the Big Ten Championships
2010 Midlands Champion at 184 pounds
Two-time Minnesota State Champion
Compiled a 181-12 record over four years at Prague High School

Projected College Weight: 184 pounds

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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