The Cowboys will wrestle a total of 18 bouts on two mats, with all but two OSU wrestlers in action.
Several weight classes are in question for Oklahoma State this year, but perhaps the most intruiging weights going into the Orange and Black ranking matches are 133 pounds, 149 pounds, 157 pounds and 174 pounds.
With 2008 NCAA champion and four-time All-American Coleman Scott not in the lineup for the first time in four years, Shinn gets his chance to step in at 133 pounds but it won't be easy as junior college national champion Chris Notte provides formidable opposition and would be a good option for John Smith to start in that slot as well.
The 149-pound weight class features a pair of unproven wrestlers looking to make a name for themselves. Quinten Fuentes and Luke Silver face off in what should be one of the more intense matches of the night with much at stake. Though Fuentes was OSU's starter at the beginning of last season, he lost his grip on that spot after struggling to an 11-9 overall record and a 4-7 mark in duals. He gets a second chance beginning Thursday, but Silver should not be underestimated coming off a redshirt year in which he compiled a 15-7 overall record.
Smith has a pair of talented wrestlers at 157 pounds who are both good enough to start and win bouts well into the season. Senior Newly McSpadden is likely to be the narrow favorite Thursday, but sophomore Neil Erisman is a legitimate contender who should not be discounted against any opponent, McSpadden included.
Any of three different wrestlers have a realistic shot at becoming the starter at 174 pounds and the Orange and Black ranking matches could go a long way in determining who gets the opening-day nod between Kevin Wainscott, Kyle Griffin and Cody Hill. Wainscott and Hill have both started duals for Oklahoma State before, with Wainscott competing at 165 pounds and Hill at 184 pounds. Neither has ever started at 174. Griffin competed exclusively in open tournaments as a 165-pound redshirt last year and compiled a 16-5 overall record with six wins by fall.
Oklahoma State Wrestling Orange and Black Ranking Matches
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 :: Gallagher-Iba Arena
Mat One
125 pounds: Andre Taylor (Black) vs. Kyle Torkleson (Orange)
165 pounds: Alex Meade (Black) vs. Ace Adamson (Orange)
174 pounds: Joe Ali (Black) vs. Cody Hill (Orange)
197 pounds: Elliott Hellwege (Black) vs. Clayton Foster (Orange)
141 pounds: Luke Ashmore (Black) vs. Jamal Parks (Orange)
125 pounds: Winner Mat One vs. Winner Mat Two
165 pounds: Brandon Mason (Orange) vs. Winner of Meade vs. Adamson
174 pounds: Winner Mat One vs. Winner Mat Two
197 pounds: Winner Mat One vs. Winner Mat Two
Mat Two
125 pounds: Obenson Blanc (Orange) vs. Drew Partain (Black)
133 pounds: Chris Notte (Orange) vs. Tyler Shinn (Black)
174 pounds: Kevin Wainscott (Orange) vs. Kyle Griffin (Black)
197 pounds: Tyson Yoder (Orange) vs. Adam Rosholt (Black)
149 pounds: Jake Peck (Orange) vs. Johnny Koepp (Black)
149 pounds: Luke Silver (Orange) vs. Quinten Fuentes (Black)
157 pounds: Neil Erisman (Orange) vs. Newly McSpadden (Black)
184 pounds: Jared Shelton (Orange) vs. Chris McNeil (Black)
285 pounds: Jared Rosholt (Orange) vs. Opponent TBA (Black)
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