by Robert Przybylo
When the chips are down and its back is against the wall, the OU wrestling team knows it can count on its leader, senior Teyon Ware.
OU was down to Lehigh, 5-4, Saturday night going into Ware’s 141-pound match with Lehigh’s Cory Cooperman.
Ware was able to score a major decision against Cooperman, 12-2, to give the Sooners an 8-5 lead.
The No. 4 Sooners would end up tying the No. 10-ranked Mountain Hawks of Lehigh, 18-18, at the Field House.
“Teyon was getting his shots off,” OU head coach Jack Spates said. “He learned from his disappointment from the all-star tournament.”
In the tournament two weeks ago, the No. 1-ranked Ware lost to No. 2-ranked Nate Gallick of Iowa State, 3-1.
Saturday night, Cooperman came in ranked No. 3 in the nation.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Ware said. “It was a tough match but I came out ready and prepared.”
Ware started strong with a 7-2 lead through two periods and had one takedown and two near falls.
“I wanted to come out and strike early,” he said. “I just want to get that first takedown and have fun from there. I want to dictate the pace.”
Ware closed the show decisively.
He scored another takedown and near fall to give OU a major decision, 12-2.
“I knew with some of our guys out, we’d have to step up,” he said. “Once I saw I could, I told myself to go get the major decision.”
Lehigh would win the next four matches before juniors Justin Dyer and Joel Flaggert closed the gap from 18-8 to 18-15.
Senior heavyweight Jake Hager won the final match of the night to pull out the tie.
“The mental pressure of being a wrestler is tough,” Spates said. “That’s why there are not too many people who can go out there and do it well.”
“The bottom line is I’m not real pleased with our performance tonight but I am pleased with the way we battled back,” he said.
OU will have no cupcake on their schedule to regain team confidence. The Sooners head to Stillwater to take on reigning national champs and No. 1-ranked Oklahoma State.
“I have to have more confidence in myself and take my shots,” Ware said. “Everything is going to have to go perfect next week. All of the guys that are favored are going to need to win their matches by a major decision. We’re really looking forward to the challenge.”
The first of two Bedlam wrestling duals will start at 7 p.m. Friday night.
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