Orange and Black

[JoeyBee]

http://news.theopenmat.com/2010/11/c...-matchups-set/

[Tofurky]

Thanks for posting this, Joe.

All three Illinois guys are repping the Orange team with a BARN BURNER set at 149.

Cowboy Wrestling Orange and Black Matchups Set
Published on November 3, 2010 by viratas · No Comments
Orange and Black Matchups Set

Cowboy wrestling holds ranking matches Thursday at 7 p.m.

STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith announced the lineups for the Orange and Black Ranking Matches, which will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

“We will use these ranking matches along with performances in the open tournaments to help us determine what our starting lineup will be for our first dual against Bucknell,” Smith said. “I am excited to see how our wrestlers perform when the lights come on for the first time on Thursday. The guys who start for us will have to earn it. Nothing is given.”

Perhaps the feature bout of the night will come at 149 pounds, where a pair of former Fargo champions will square off. Last year’s Big 12 champion at 141 pounds, Jamal Parks moves up to 149 this year, where he will face stiff competition from Albert White, who was 9-0 last year as the Cowboy starter before having his season derailed due to injury. Both Parks and White are national-level wrestlers capable of finishing the season on the All-America podium.

“It will be good to get out there and compete,” Parks said. “We see each other every day in the wrestling room and it’s about pride. We both respect each other’s skills and abilities, but neither of us is willing to give up a starting spot. In the end, we are teammates and we are there for each other, but we both want to be the starter.”

Admission is free and fans are encouraged to stay in the arena after the wrestling ends to get autographs and pictures with their favorite Cowboy wrestlers.

The Cowboys open their season in earnest when they compete at the Oklahoma City Open on Sunday, Nov. 7.

2010 Orange and Black Matchups

125 pounds: Jon Morrison (Orange) vs. Tyler Dorrell (Black)

133 pounds: Josh Kindig (Orange) vs. Jordan Oliver (Black)

141 pounds: Luke Silver (Orange) vs. Julian Feikert (Black)

149 pounds: Albert White (Orange) vs. Jamal Parks (Black)

157 pounds: Stephen Swan (Orange) vs. Matt White (Black)

165 pounds: Joe Ali (Orange) vs. Dallas Bailey (Black)

174 pounds: Mike Benefiel (Orange) vs. Chris McNeil (Black)

184 pounds: Zach White (Orange) vs. Darnell Bortz (Black)

184 pounds: Elliott Hellwege (Orange) vs. Chris Perry (Black)

197 pounds: Colton Hill (Orange) vs. Clayton Foster (Black)

285 pounds: Alan Gelogaev (Orange) vs. Tyson Yoder (Black)

(Matchups are subject to change)

[wrestlingnut]

Morrison won easily
White lost in OT
Benefiel lost 4-1

I was surprised by the Benefiel score.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by wrestlingnut

Morrison won easily
White lost in OT
Benefiel lost 4-1

I was surprised by the Benefiel score.

I think everyone knew the White match would be close,but I'm pretty sure Bennefiel beat his opponent pretty handily last year?

Maybe this is what Smith was referring to?

But it also seems that Smith will take into account both these matches and how they do in the open tournaments before naming the definite starter. So maybe theres still a chance we see all 3 Illinois guys as starters.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by wrestlingnut

Morrison won easily
White lost in OT
Benefiel lost 4-1

I was surprised by the Benefiel score.

Just looked at the action by period and it looks like Mike got rode out. For as good as he is on his feet if he was just a tad better from the bottom we are looking at a national Champ.

[promartinez]

Ranking matches sounds alot better than wrestle-offs. Is that normal?

[wrestlingnut]

Originally Posted by tilt

Just looked at the action by period and it looks like Mike got rode out. For as good as he is on his feet if he was just a tad better from the bottom we are looking at a national Champ.

I bet this is a mental thing. For "as good as he is on his feet" he didn't get a takedown in the match. Mike has all the physical tools and has been well trained to succeed. Last year he went to the NCAA seated 5th (I am pretty sure of this) and after a loss didn't fight through the wrestle backs to make AA. Mike should AA this year, but I think he may be a year away from challenging for the title.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by wrestlingnut

I bet this is a mental thing. For "as good as he is on his feet" he didn't get a takedown in the match. Mike has all the physical tools and has been well trained to succeed. Last year he went to the NCAA seated 5th (I am pretty sure of this) and after a loss didn't fight through the wrestle backs to make AA. Mike should AA this year, but I think he may be a year away from challenging for the title.

I agree that he should AA this year. My only point is that he has to escape to get to his feet for takedowns. Many first periods are spent feeling out the opponent without a takedown. But when you are rode out the 2 and then your opponent quickly escapes-then comes the mental thing that maybe this guy is also too strong to take down.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by wrestlingnut

Morrison won easily
White lost in OT
Benefiel lost 4-1

I was surprised by the Benefiel score.

Morrison won the Oklahoma City Open

Parks beat White again 3-1

Mcneil won the tournament, and I didn't see Benefiel in the bracket?I am worried about where Mikey goes from here because McNeil is only a junior and they have some young studs at 184. Maybe theres an injury?

It looks like we may have only 1 Illinois guy starting on this potentially championship team.

[sweetsweep22]

Both White and Benefiel are in a tough spot. The guys ahead of them both are juniors. Both have already transferred once, and I doubt would want to transfer again. Hard to believe that two of Illinois' 4x champs are having trouble find a starting spot in college, but that's D1 wrestling I guess...