Big 12 wrestling meet could be best ever

AMES, Iowa (AP) _ Someone is going to get left out at the Big 12 wrestling tournament. <br><br>Iowa State coach Bobby Douglas said the conference has more outstanding wrestlers than qualifying spots in

Friday, March 5th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

AMES, Iowa (AP) _ Someone is going to get left out at the Big 12 wrestling tournament.

Iowa State coach Bobby Douglas said the conference has more outstanding wrestlers than qualifying spots in the NCAA tournament. That, he said, is a shame.

``We're going to leave some good ones home,'' said Douglas, whose school is hosting the meet at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday.

Thirty-six wrestlers from the Big 12 will advance to the NCAA meet in St. Louis two weeks from now. In the latest national rankings from InterMat, an internet wrestling information site, 28 Big 12 wrestlers are in the top 10 at their weight and 39 are in the top 20.

The league deserves more qualifiers, Douglas said.

``It's because of the formula they put in years ago,'' he said. ``The formula is outdated now because of the strength of the Big 12 Conference. We're working to change that.''

The top three finishers at each weight class and six at-large wrestlers will advance to the NCAA meet. At two weights, 149 pounds and 184, all five wrestlers who'll be competing Saturday are ranked in the top 10.

All those outstanding wrestlers make for formidable teams, all of whom are ranked in the top nine. Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Nebraska hold the top three spots. Missouri is ranked fifth and Oklahoma ninth.

``It's probably the most competitive it's ever been,'' Douglas said.

Oklahoma State is the defending champion and has won five of the seven Big 12 titles. The Cowboys have two defending NCAA champions in Johnny Thompson at 133 and Jake Rosholt at 184 and four former Big 12 champs: Thompson, Tyrone Lewis (165), Chris Pendleton (174) and Will Gruenwald (heavyweight).

``They're the odds-on favorite,'' Douglas said. ``Historically, they have owned this tournament.''

Other former conference champions in the tournament are Nebraska's Jason Powell at 125, Oklahoma's Teyon Ware at 141, Missouri's Tyron Woodley at 165 and Oklahoma heavyweight Leonce Crump.

Iowa State's top wrestlers are second-ranked Nate Gallick at 141 and third-ranked Zach Roberson at 133. Gallick is unbeaten against Big 12 competition this season.

``Our concern is getting people to the national tournament,'' Douglas said. ``We'd love to win it, but we don't have a good track record winning this tournament.

``But I feel if we can get people to the national tournament, we've got a shot at winning it.''