It marks the first career conference honor for the redshirt-junior, who has compiled a 23-5 overall record at 141 pounds this season, while going 4-1 against conference foes.
Bailey, currently ranked third nationally, defeated No. 7 Jamal Parks of Oklahoma State by a 3-2 decision on Sunday in the second installment of Bedlam in Stillwater. The victory extended his winning streak to 13-straight matches this season.
Trailing 2-1 with under a minute to go in the match, the Kansas City, Mo., product scored a takedown with just 33 seconds remaining in the third and was able to ride out Parks to seal the win. The win helped the Sooners claim three of the first four matches of the top-10 dual, giving OU a 10-3 lead.
"This is a very deserving and great honor for Zack," OU head coach Jack Spates said. "This is a young man who has struggled for the past couple of years with injuries and surgeries, almost to the point of giving up the sport. For Zack to come back and battle to defeat an opponent who had beaten him twice before on a big stage really shows his character and determination."
Bailey is near the top in several statistical categories for the Sooners, including third-most dual wins this season (14), as well as third on the team in dual takedowns (38) and dual points scored (135). The junior's 70 career victories are second-most on the team.
Bailey and the Sooners are next in action at the 2010 Big 12 Championships, held this year in Norman at the Howard McCasland Field House on March 6.
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