This weekend in Division II College Wrestling
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Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
02/07/2002
UNO's Chad Wallace knows he can't avenge all three of his losses at 197 pounds. He won't receive another shot at Iowa State's Cael Sanderson, arguably the greatest college wrestler in history. Not that it would matter. But Wallace (28-3) did earn redemption for one setback, knocking off Northern Iowa's Sean Stender after losing to him in November's Kaufman-Brand Open. Now the second-ranked Wallace is looking to pay back Central Oklahoma's top-ranked Muhammad Lawal, who beat Wallace 7-4 in the semifinals of the Kaufman-Brand. "I gave him more credit than I should have the first time we wrestled," Wallace said. "I respect everybody, but I don't fear him. He's a real aggressive wrestler like I am. The key to beating him is you can't relax." The Wallace-Lawal match will highlight tonight's dual between No. 3 UNO and No. 1 Central Oklahoma, a team that rolled to the title at last month's National Duals. The meet is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start in Edmond, Okla. "This is great preparation for nationals, wrestling all these tough matches," UNO Coach Mike Denney said. "We have had a real good rivalry with them. We won't have any trouble getting up for them." The Mavericks complete a tough weekend road swing Saturday at No. 9 Nebraska-Kearney, a team they have never lost to. "They probably have the best team I ever remember them having in my 23 years," Denney said. "It will be a battle." Another key matchup may come at Lawal's old weight class at 184 with third-ranked Zach Stalder of UNO scheduled to face fourth-ranked Jeff Henning. Denney said Stalder, who is fighting an infection, is questionable for this weekend's duals. If Stalder can't go, UNO sophomore Daniel Vech will step in at 184. Vech replaced Stalder and picked up a win in last Saturday's dual with St. Cloud State. Wallace, a junior who was fourth in the nation as a freshman and sophomore, has not lost since the Kaufman-Brand. He has won 23 straight. Central Oklahoma beat then-No. 1 North Dakota State 26-15 in the finals of the National Duals. UNO has only lost twice in 11 duals, both to North Dakota State. Lawal, a junior, placed second in the nation at 184 last year. "This could be a preview of the national championship match," Wallace said. "I am just happy to get another shot at him. Ever since my last match with him I have been thinking about wrestling him again. Any time you get a chance at redemption it is a big opportunity, especially when it's No. 1 vs. No. 2." The Mavs will be looking to avenge another setback at 149. UNO's Cody Ritter, ranked seventh, will meet No. 4 Michael Barreras. Ritter had a 10-0 lead over Barreras at the Kaufman-Brand before being pinned. Top-ranked Roderick Ratcliff of UNO is set to battle No. 3 Matt Dodgen at 141. The Bronchos, who tied UNO for third place at last year's national meet, also have ranked wrestlers in Chris Saferite (No. 7 at 125), Cole Province (No. 3 at 133), Nathan Gomez (No. 6 at 157) and Shawn Silvis (No. 3 at 165). Province won the national title last year as a freshman. UNO's Bobby Edmonds is No. 4 at 174. Nebraska-Kearney is led by No. 1 Brandon Pfizenmaier at 149 and No. 3 Frank Kuchera at 174. Also is Division II this weekend, No. 2 North Dakota State is scheduled to wrestle at Northern Colorado on Saturday and at Western State on Sunday. Fourth-ranked Ashland was scheduled to wrestle West Liberty on Thursday at home. Fifth-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato was slated to wrestle twice at home, meeting Southwest State on Thursday and St. Cloud State on Friday.