The ninth-ranked OU wrestling team (12-1-1, 0-1-1 Big 12) will start a two-match road trip tonight against the Cornhuskers (9-8, 0-1 Big 12) at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln, Neb.
Following the dual in Nebraska, OU will battle against Missouri (7-4, 10 Big 12) 7 p.m. Saturday .
“Our team is really excited for this trip,” head coach Jack Spates said. “We have had two weeks off and we are eager for competition, especially Big 12 competition. The break has allowed us to regroup, refresh and improve and we look forward to this weekend. This should be a good bonding time for our guys and we hopefully will bring back two victories.”
OU claims nearly the same amount of ranked individuals as Nebraska and Missouri combined. InterMat ranked eight grapplers, led by No. 3 ranked Zack Bailey at 141 pounds and Kyle Terry at 149 pounds. Eric Lapotsky, No. 6 at 197 pounds, also fell into the top 10.
Freshman Jarrod Patterson is ranked No. 18 at 125 pounds, with a 21-9 record. Senior Shane Vernon is ranked No. 12 at 157 pounds, redshirt sophomore Tyler Caldwell is ranked No. 16 at 165 pounds, and junior Jeff James and Nathan Fernandez are ranked No. 18 at 174 pounds and No. 12 at HWT, respectively.
The Cornhuskers have three ranked grapplers, although two are top-five ranked: No. 2 Craig Brester at 197 pounds and No. 4 Stephen Dwyer at 174 pounds.
Missouri, on paper, seems the tougher challenge for the Sooners since they boast six ranked wrestlers this week, led by No. 3 Max Askren at 184 pounds and No. 5 Nick Marable at 165 pounds. Todd Schavrien is No. 19 at 141 pounds, while Mark Ellis is seventh at HWT. The Tigers also have Dorian Henderson and Brent Haynes ranked No. 15 at 174 and 197 pounds, respectively.
The all-time series leans in OU's favor against both teams, 35-16-1 against Nebraska and 39-8-0 against Missouri. All-time records aside, Nebraska has a three-match winning streak and Missouri owns a four-match winning streak against OU.
“Right now we are 0-1-1 in the Big 12, with competitive matches against the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the country,” Spates said. “This is another gauge to see exactly where our program stands.”
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