Cory Hansen
Several members of the Oklahoma Sooners roster went to Poteau, Oklahoma on Veteran’s Day to compete in the Viking Open, hosted by Carl Albert State College. The tournament started later than expected and between a higher than expected number of entrants and technical difficulties, had to be ended prior to the championship matches being competed. However, the young Sooners wrestlers competed well and got some crucially important matches outside the practice room.
Redshirt Freshman Derek Glenn competed in the 125 pound bracket and picked up three wins on the day and was in position to wrestle the championship match. Glenn picked up a first round tech fall, followed by a pin in round two. In the semifinal match, Glenn earned a 7-3 decision over Guy Clevenger from the University of Central Oklahoma.
True Freshman Nick LaMorte donned the Sooner singlet for the first time in pool A of the 133 pound division. LaMorte picked up an 8-5 decision victory in the first round, but dropped a decision to current Bixby High School standout and future Missouri Tiger, Gage Walker in round two. The true freshman did not hang his head, however, and bounced back to pick up a pair of tech fall victories to make the consolation semifinals.
In pool A action of the 141 pound division, Junior Jacob Zimmer won his opening bout of the day with a pin, before dropping a pair of matches to end his day early.
Redshirt Freshman Tyten Volk had a very strong day in pool A of the 165 pound division. Volk earned bonus point victories in all three of his matches, with two tech falls and a pin on the day. Volk also was positioned to be in the championship bout of his bracket.
Redshirt Freshman Mohamed Elgouhari competed in a smaller bracket in pool A of the 197 pound division. After a first round bye, Elgouhari dropped a major decision to Emmanuel Skillings of UCO, then received a consolation round bye and did not get a chance to wrestle in the consolation semifinal match.
True Freshman Eli Cordy got a chance to compete unattached and after receiving a first round bye, picked up a pinfall victory before dropping a close decision in the semifinals. Cordy would have been in the consolation semifinal match. Also wrestling unattached were a couple high school wrestlers that officially signed with the Sooners for next season. In pool A of the 141 pound division, Edmond North star Hunter Hollingsworth went 3-0 on the day with a pair of tech fall victories. And, in pool B of the 165 pound division, Bixby High School product ClaySooners Giddens-Buttram also went 3-0 with a pair of decision victories and a pinfall. Both future Sooners were in position to wrestle in the championship finals.
