The Cowboys have capable candidates at several weight classes, most notably at 157 pounds, where incumbent starter Newly McSpadden and Neil Erisman are both capable of being everyday starters. The Orange and Black matches could play a role in determining who gets the starting nod early in the season.
Other weight classes to watch will be 133 pounds, 149 pounds, 174 pounds and 184 pounds.
At 133, Tyler Shinn and Chris Notte both figure to be impact wrestlers for the Cowboys in 2008-09. Shinn has made his name wrestling at 125 pounds throughout his collegiate career, but now gets a chance to stake claim to the title of starter at 133 with 2008 NCAA champion Coleman Scott graduated. In order to do that, he will have to prove himself against Notte, who won a junior college national title while at Nassau CC last year.
The 149-pound weight class is highlighted by returnee Quinten Fuentes and redshirt freshman Luke Silver. Though Fuentes owns the edge on experience, he did not quite do enough while starting last year to be able to stake claim to the starter's role this year. Silver is a good option for Smith and the reality is that both could see time during the dual match season.
Perhaps the most wide-open weight class for the Cowboys is 174 pounds. With former 174-pounder Brandon Mason making the move to 165 pounds this year, it opens the door for Cody Hill, Kevin Wainscott and Kyle Griffin to push for the role of starter at 174. Hill wrestled at 184 pounds a year ago but injuries sidetracked him as the year went along. Wainscott is the most mature of the group and is a good competitor, with Griffin looking to crack into the lineup after redshirting at 165 pounds a year ago.
Though Jared Shelton would appear to be the favorite to start for the Cowboys at 184 pounds after moving from 197, he will have to get through competition with redshirt freshmen Chris McNeil and Adam Rosholt.
Probable Oklahoma State Lineup Heading Into Orange and Black Ranking Matches
125 pounds: Obenson "Obe" Blanc
133 pounds: Tyler Shinn or Chris Notte
141 pounds: Jamal Parks
149 pounds: Quinten Fuentes or Luke Silver
157 pounds: Newly McSpadden or Neil Erisman
165 pounds: Brandon Mason
174 pounds: Cody Hill or Kevin Wainscott or Kyle Griffin
184 pounds: Jared Shelton or Chris McNeil
197 pounds: Clayton Foster
285 pounds: Jared Rosholt
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