Oklahoma State Still Up in National Rankings as Ranking Matches Go as Expected
(Pokes Report publisher Robert Allen contributed to this story from OSU Athletic Media Relations.)
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State wrestling team was ranked No. 3 for the second straight week in the NWCA Coaches Poll, while four Cowboys cracked the top five in this week's InterMat individual rankings. Meanwhile, in Stillwater inside the Cowboys Wrestling Room the team went through their ranking matches complete with orange singlets and according to one source the matches went as expected.
All individually-ranked Cowboys in the InterMat individual rankings won and held their spots in the lineup for the first dual at Utah Valley. The one spot that appeared to be the most contentious was 197 pounds and Luke Surber (No. 20 in the rankings) held on against highly-regarded freshman Cody Merrill.
There was little movement in the Coaches Poll as action across the country got underway over the weekend. Like last Tuesday, the Big 12's total of eight ranked teams was tied for most in the country with No. 6 Iowa State, No. 9 Missouri, No. 12 South Dakota State, No. 14 Northern Iowa, No. 18 West Virginia, No. 19 Arizona State and No. 22 Oklahoma all included. Wyoming and Northern Colorado also received several votes to become the first two teams on the outside looking in.
Cameron Amine and Dean Hamiti Jr. both jumped up one spot to fifth at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively, joining second-ranked heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson and third-ranked 184-pounder Dustin Plott inside the top five. Troy Spratley maintained his No. 6 ranking at 125 pounds, as did 157-pounder Teague Travis at No. 9.
Three other Cowboys held the same spot from last Tuesday as Tagen Jamison landed at No. 14 at 141 pounds, 149-pounder Carter Young was ranked No. 17 and Luke Surber was slotted 20th at 197 pounds.
Oklahoma State starts its season on November 15-17 with a road trip to Utah Valley and Oregon State before returning home to face Wyoming on November 22.