by By Micah Thompson, communications assistant
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The No. 9 University of Oklahoma wrestling team defeated Bucknell on Friday night by a score of 23-21. The dual was held in the Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pa.
Six Sooners recorded wins in the contest, including three bonus-point victories at 125 pounds, 141 pounds and 165 pounds.
“It’s always great to start off with a win at 125,” OU head coach Mark Cody said. “Ryan Millhof has been on a roll. I think the momentum he creates really helps the team, and every big win we’ve had so far has happened with a win from him. I’ve wrestled Bucknell many times over the years. They’re very well-coached and they appeared to have good strategies for every match and seemed to know everything we were going to throw at them. I feel very fortunate to come out of here with a win tonight.”
Ryan Millhof started the Sooners off at 125 pounds with a win by fall over No. 10 Paul Petrov in 5:15. Millhof started the third period down 1-0 and on bottom before recording the defensive fall.
Trae Blackwell (141 pounds) continued the momentum for the Sooners with a 15-4 major decision over Grim Gonzalez after a forfeit by OU at 133 pounds. Blackwell held a 7-2 lead though two periods before tallying three takedowns in the final frame for the major.
In the 149-pound bout, Davion Jeffries (Muscogee Creek Nation) registered a 4-2 decision of Victor Lopez. Jeffries recorded a takedown early in the first period and tallied an escape in the third before securing the riding time point for the win.
At 157 pounds, Brock Wingbermuehle registered a 3-2 decision over Zach Kelly. Kelly held the advantage and started on top heading into the third period, but Wingbermuehle escaped and secured the riding time point to make the score a final 3-2.
Clark Glass defeated Robert Schlitt at 165 pounds in a 10-1 major decision, tallying two takedowns in the match.
At 197 pounds, Brad Johnson secured an 8-4 decision over Tyler Greene. The redshirt junior recorded a second-period takedown and three escapes en route to the win.
Matt Reed dropped a 7-4 decision to Rustin Barrick at 174 pounds, and Bucknell’s Tom Sleigh won the 184-pound bout by disqualification over Lance Dixon in 6:27. Joe Stolfi defeated Ross Larson by fall in 2:25 at heavyweight.
The Sooners return to the mat on Sunday for a dual against Big 12-opponent and No. 20-ranked West Virginia inside WVU Coliseum. The match is slated for a 3 p.m. CT start.
