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Volkmann leads Minnesota past No. 1 Oklahoma State 17-16
February 22, 2004
Senior Jacob Volkmann upset top-ranked Tyrone Lewis at 165 pounds as the 10th-ranked Golden Gopher wrestling team (12-6, 5-3) stunned No. 1 Oklahoma State, 17-16, on Sunday afternoon in Stillwater, Okla. Minnesota won its fifth match in a row and snapped Oklahoma State's 15 match winning streak.
The match began at 184 pounds as Oklahoma State took an early 3-0 lead as 14th-ranked Jake Rosholt escaped with a 2-1 decision against Josh McLay. The Golden Gophers would take their first lead as top-ranked Damion Hahn earned a 10-2 major decision against Rusty Blackmon at 197 pounds. It was Hahn's 17th straight win and his 34th victory in his last 35 matches dating back to last season.
Redshirt freshman Cole Konrad followed with a dominating 10-0 major decision against 13th-ranked Willie Gruenwald at heavyweight. The four team points gave Minnesota an early 8-3 lead. 13th-ranked Bobbe Lowe followed with a 4-2 decision against 18th-ranked Cody Stites at 125 pounds.
Two-time defending NCAA Champion Johnny Thompson claimed an 8-2 decision against Minnesota's Andrew Domingues at 133. For Domingues, it was only his second career start at 133 pounds after wrestling at 125 pounds all season. He was wrestling in place of fellow redshirt freshman Quincy Osborn. Domingues was pinned on Friday night against Penn State in his first action at 133, but on Sunday, did not allow any bonus points against Thompson.
18th-ranked Tommy Owen increased Minnesota's lead to 14-6 with a 6-4 decision against Ronnie Delk at 141 pounds.
Oklahoma State rallied at 149 pounds as second-ranked Zack Esposito earned a 17-6 major decision against Thomas McAlpine. The Cowboys pulled to within 14-13 after sixth-ranked Johny Hendricks defeated No. 14 Matt Nagel, 6-4 at 157 pounds.
Volkmann, ranked seventh in the nation, took back the momentum with his 3-1 decision against top-ranked Lewis. Lewis entered the match with a perfect 28-0 record, but Volkmann improved to 26-4 on the season with the win.
Entering the final match with Minnesota leading 17-13, 12th-ranked Jon Duncombe only needed to keep the match within seven points against top-ranked Chris Pendleton at 174 pounds. Duncombe fell 12-8, but the three team points only pulled Oklahoma State to within one at 17-16. Pendleton improved to 29-0 on the season.
"I knew we had to win one of the last two matches," Volkmann said. "Jon (Duncombe) did what he had to do against a tough opponent. We have such a young team, but we all knew it was only a matter of time before it all came together."
"From top to bottom, I couldn't be prouder of this team," head coach J Robinson said. "We've been inconsistent all season, battled through injuries, but we're peaking at the right time. It starts with our two seniors and they really came through for us today."
With five straight victories, including wins against the top-ranked Cowboys and third-ranked Illinois, Minnesota will attempt to win its fourth straight Big Ten Championship in two weeks in Columbus, Ohio, March 6-7.