Feb. 21, 2002
NORMAN, Okla. - Pitted against perhaps its toughest opponent this season, 11th-ranked Arizona State wrestling mustered only two wins against sixth-ranked Oklahoma, falling 38-6 in its regular season finale at the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman, Okla., Thursday night.
ASU ends its 2001-02 dual schedule with an overall record of 9-5, while Oklahoma improved to 17-5. The Sun Devils will next prepare to defend their conference title at the Pac-10 Championships hosted by Oregon State, March 2-3.
Senior All-American David Douglas' upset win at 133 pounds provided ASU's highlight on the night. Douglas, ranked sixth, earned a 7-4 decision over third-ranked Witt Durden. Junior Rocky Smart, ranked 11th, also picked up a big win with a 6-3 decision over 12th-ranked Doug Cieleski at 157.
ASU's lineup, which has been depleted by injuries, lost the first two matches by fall and the next two by major decision as the Sooners screamed out to a 20-0 lead. With the dual starting at 174 pounds, ASU freshman Chris Petrie was pinned by Michael Barger in 1:24, while Josh Lambrecht followed suit pinning freshman Will Carr in 2:11.
Then freshman Scott Hollingsworth and junior Kellan Fluckiger suffered major decision defeats at 197 and heavyweight, respectively. ASU was forced to forfeit the 125 bout with freshman Mike Simpson out with an injury. Trailing 26-0, ASU got a much needed lift from Douglas' upset win over Durden at 133.
Adding insult to injury, junior All-American and the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 141 pounds, Eric Larkin, was upset by OU's Nate Parker. Parker, ranked 15th, earned a 6-4 decision, handing Larkin his fourth loss of the season, and second in his last three matches.
OU received six more points with another ASU forfeit at 149. With the team victory out of reach, OU's Robbie Waller earned an 11-6 decision over sophomore Nick Frost to seal the win for the Sooners in the final bout.
ASU will return to Tempe to regroup and prepare for the Pac-10 Championships hosted by Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, March 2, through Sunday, March 3.
#6 Oklahoma 38, #11 Arizona State 6
174: #15 Michael Barger (OU) fall Chris Petrie (ASU), 1:24
184: #7 Josh Lambrecht (OU) fall Will Carr (ASU), 2:11
197: #13 Tom Grossman (OU) major dec. Scott Hollingsworth (ASU), 16-5
HWT: #3 Leonce Crump (OU) major dec. #9 Kellan Fluckiger (ASU), 9-1
125: #6 Matt Ridings (OU) wins by forfeit
133: #6 David Douglas (ASU) dec. #3 Witt Durden (OU), 7-4
141: #15 Nate Parker (OU) dec. #1 Eric Larkin (ASU), 6-4
149: #5 Jared Frayer (OU) wins by forfeit
157: #11 Rocky Smart (ASU) dec. #12 Doug Cieleski (OU), 6-3
165: #9 Robbie Waller (OU) dec. #18 Nick Frost (ASU), 11-6
Attendance: 575
Team rankings according to NWCA Poll, individual rankings according to Amateur Wrestling News