Transcript Staff
The Norman Transcript
OMAHA, Neb. — Oklahoma’s Kyle Terry earned third place at 149 pounds at the NCAA Wrestling Championships Saturday, marking the highest finish by a Sooner at the event since 2007.
Terry, a senior, went 5-1 at the event.
Additionally, Zack Bailey (31-8) placed fourth at 141 pounds for the Sooners. Bailey, who battled back from career-threatening shoulder injuries this season, lost his opening match Thursday, but rolled off six straight in the consolation bracket.
“First of all, Zack Bailey is a hero after all he has overcome. To lose in the opening round and come back through the consolation bracket and take fourth is magnificent,” OU coach Jack Spates said. “And what a way to go out for Kyle Terry. He came to wrestle every match. It is great to see him place third on the national stage. It more than deserves it.”
A year after falling one win short of becoming an All-American, Terry (32-3) produced two wins on Saturday inside the Qwest Center to take third place on the podium at Quest Center.
“This feels really good,” said Terry, who went 32-2 this season. “I fell short last year, came within one win of becoming an All-American and I kept that taste in my mouth. I only had one slip up this tournament against (Brent) Metcalf. Other than that, I think I wrestled a great tournament. This is a great way to end my senior season. I’m proud.”
Terry ends his Sooner career as a three-time NCAA qualifier, two-time Big 12 champion and the team leader in overall wins with 88.
Tyler Caldwell (31-14) and Eric Lapotsky (29-8) also placed for the Sooners, picking up fifth-place finishes at 165 and 197 pounds, respectively.
Caldwell’s run through the championships included three upset wins over three seeded wrestlers.
Saturday, Caldwell became the first Sooner freshman to earn All-America status since 2005 and just the 13th in this year’s field to be unseeded and earn the honor.
Lapotsky took down two seeded opponents to place in his third and last NCAA Championships.
One year after finishing in 31st place at the tournament, OU returned to the national stage by crowning four All-Americans, which is tied for second-best in this year’s field, and the most for the program since crowning five in 2006.
