Cowboys lasso eighth National Duals title with 22-15 win over Illinois
John Fuller/TheMat.com
Cleveland, Ohio – Oklahoma State won its third consecutive Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals title on Sunday afternoon with a 22-15 win over Illinois, but the Cowboys’ armor was dented somewhat.
Not only did Illinois win the first three matches of the dual meet, and four of the first five, but Cowboys All-American Johny Hendricks (165) further strained a hamstring injury and also developed a neck injury in the event, leaving his status as questionable for the next few weeks.
However, late pins by tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler Chris Pendleton (174) and Steve Mocco (285) sealed the victory for Oklahoma State, which has won a total of eight National Duals titles.
2004 NCAA finalist Kyle Ott helped the Fighting Illini to a strong start with a 6-4 victory over talented freshman Coleman Scott. Ott controlled most of the bout and was able to hold off a late charge from Scott in the win.
Illinois then extended its lead to 6-0 after All-American Mark Jayne downed freshman Nathan Morgan in a thrilling 7-6 bout.
Morgan led 4-3 in the third period after the official had warned Jayne for stalling for the second time, but Jayne, known for his third-period rallies, came on strong late, scoring two takedowns and not allowing an escape in the last 30 seconds to come away with the win.
Illinois then got some much needed help against the heavily-favored Cowboys as 141-pound Cassio Pero out-battled Ronnie Delk 5-3 in two tiebreakers. In the match, Delk was able to get deep on numerous shot attempts, but could not finish on the quicker Pero.
In the first tiebreaker, the two traded escapes to tie the score at 2-2. After a second scoreless overtime period, Pero scored an escape in the second tiebreaker. But when Delk scored an escape to tie the match at 3-3 again, Pero was able to finally score a takedown, winning the bout and giving the Fighting Illini a 9-0 cushion over the two-time defending NCAA champions.
Returning NCAA finalist Zack Esposito finally got the Cowboys on the scoreboard after finishing an 11-1 major decision victory against Anton Dietzen at 149 lbs.
Two-time All-American Alex Tirapelle extended Illinois’ lead to 12-4 with a 2-1 victory over Kevin Ward at 157 lbs.
In what may have been the turning point of the dual, Hendricks pulled out a come-from-behind victory over Donny Reynolds at 165 lbs.
Reynolds controlled the match, holding a 3-2 lead before Hendricks, battling injuries throughout the entire tournament, was able to score a late takedown and earn a riding time point to secure the win.
Pendleton, a defending NCAA champion, then gave Oklahoma State its first lead of the dual with a pin over Pete Friedl in just one minute and four seconds at 174 lbs.
Illinois had one last glimmer of hope when 184-pound Brian Glynn gutted out a win over Clay Kehrer, 6-2. The win put Illinois ahead 15-13 before 2003 NCAA champions Jake Rosholt (197) and Mocco came away with victories to finish the dual win for Oklahoma State.
In other placement matches, Minnesota defeated Lehigh 24-13 for third place as two-time NCAA finalist Jon Trenge of Lehigh was disqualified at 197 lbs. after striking Matt Koz in the head. Trenge did appear to call a timeout. The official did not immediately stop the match and Koz then charged at Trenge before the blow.
Oklahoma defeated Central Michigan 20-19 for fifth place and Michigan defeated Penn State 29-14 for seventh place.
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