Nov. 28, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. -- The 11th-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team took care of business Saturday at the Oklahoma Open, topping Oklahoma City, 30-16, and North Carolina State, 26-15, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

OU (4-0) will now turn its focus to its opening Big 12 match of the season on Tuesday versus in-state rival Oklahoma State, ranked third nationally.

"We rested some guys in preparation for Tuesday," head coach Jack Spates said. "I thought we faced some adversity but our guys fought back and showed great effort. I believe we had some guys make big strides today."

Sooners picking up two wins on the day were No. 8 Jeff James (174 pounds), Erich Schmidtke (184), No. 7 Eric Lapotsky (197) and No. 14 Nathan Fernandez (285).

Lapotsky was again impressive, earning his sixth pin of the season in eight victories (8-0). James also kept his undefeated season alive, now 8-0 heading into Bedlam.

Schmidtke also dominated by recording a 19-4 technical fall over OCU's Jake Mabry and a pin against Jonathan Becker of the Wolfpack (6:37).

Also recording victories were Alex Ekstrom at 141 pounds and 165-pounders Derek Peperas and No. 17 Tyler Caldwell. Chad Terry and Shane Vernon split the matches at 157 pounds for OU and each claimed wins. With the victory, Vernon also remains unbeaten on the season (6-0).

Starters Zack Bailey (ranked 15th at 141 pounds) and No. 5 Kyle Terry (149) did not suit up for the Sooners at the Open.

The Sooners and Cowboys are scheduled to square off at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, Dec. 1 inside the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman. Fans can click here to order tickets or call toll-free (800) 456-GoOU. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

"It's Bedlam," Spates said. "We want to follow the footsteps of our football team and get a victory. Our team wants to encourage all Sooner fans to come out and support us and root us on to victory."

Oklahoma 30, Oklahoma City 16

125: Kidd Gomez (OCU) maj. dec. Greg Cannon(OU), 12-4
133: Alex Ekstrom (OU) dec. Cameron Ream(OCU), 11-9 (SV)
141: John Lynch (OCU) pinned Richard Immel (OU), 6:38
149: Will Shelton (OCU) pinned Nick Burnham (OU), 6:03
157: Shane Vernon (OU) maj. dec. Nik Turner (OCU), 14-6
165: Derek Peperas (OU) dec. Mark Meyer (OCU), 7-4
174: Jeff James (OU) pinned Andrew Pontikes (OCU), 2:15
184: Erich Schmidtke (OU) tech. fall Jake Mabry (OCU), 19-4
197: Eric Lapotsky (OU) by forfeit
285: Nathan Fernandez (OU) dec. Corey Johnson (OCU), 7-3

Oklahoma 26, North Carolina State 15

125: Taylor Cummings (NCS) dec. Justin Forrest (OU), 7-3
133: Darrius Little (NCS) dec. Alex Ekstrom (OU), 7-5
141: Dale Shull (NCS) fall Richard Immel (OU), 1:47
149: Brett Farina (NCS) dec. Nick Burnham (OU), 8-6
157: Chad Terry (OU) dec. Bobby Ward (NCS), 2-0
165: No. 17 Tyler Caldwell (OU) maj. dec. Kasey Young (NCS), 15-4
174: No. 8 Jeff James (OU) maj. dec. Quinton Godley (NCS), 10-1
184: Erich Schmidtke (OU) fall Jonathan Becker (NCS), 6:37
197: No. 7 Eric Lapotsky (OU) fall Andrew Tumlin (NCS), 4:28
HWT: No. 14 Nathan Fernandez (OU) dec. Eloheim Palma (NCS), 3-1 (SV)