SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- The No. 12th-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling squad recorded a three-match sweep Saturday at the Big 12/Pac-10 Challenge in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and improved to 7-0 on the season.
Outscoring opponents 90-26, the Sooners bested Cal Poly, 35-7, Cal-Bakersfield, 26-12, and Cal-Fullerton by a 29-7 final margin.
Sooners going undefeated (3-0) on the day were Ryan Smith at 165 pounds, Jeff James at 174 pounds, Eric Lapotsky at 197 pounds and heavyweight Nathan Fernandez. Redshirt sophomore Kyle Terry went 2-0 at 149 pounds and senior Will Rowe posted a 1-0 record, also at 149 pounds.
OU's Fernandez recorded the biggest upset of the tournament with a defeat over No. 4 Mitch Monteiro of Cal-Bakersfield. The redshirt sophomore recorded one of his two pins on the day over the top-five wrestler.
Another Sooner upset was Lapotsky (No. 14) over No. 11 Riley Orozco of Cal-Bakersfield by an 11-0 major decision. Shane Vernon (No. 16) posted a 4-3 decision over No. 13 Chase Pami of Cal Poly and Pat Flynn beat No. 17 Tom Hawkins of Cal-Fullerton, 8-3.
Oklahoma will return to Norman for the holidays with its perfect dual record before returning to action Jan. 3, 2009, at the Lonestar Duals in Arlington, Texas.
