EDMOND, Okla.- As they enter their third year of action in Division II, Head Coach Kevin Ward and his wrestling team have high expectations for themselves. It also appears that people around the country do as well, as the team enters the 2012-13 season ranked as the No. 9 team in the country.
Along with being ranked ninth in the country, three Tiger wrestlers are nationally ranked in their weight class, all of which were All-Americans in 2011-12. The Tigers enter the season after placing 15th at the NCAA National Tournament in March.
Garrett Evans currently sits as the fifth ranked wrestler in the 125 pound weight class. Evans placed eighth at the NCAA National Tournament in March.
Bobby Williams sits as the highest ranked Tiger wrestler entering the season, ranked third in the 157 pound weight class. Williams placed fifth last year at the NCAA National Tournament, winning three of his five matches. Williams swept his matches at the NCAA Regional Tournament, capturing one of two Regional Championships for the Tiger wrestling program.
Ouachita’s Dallas Smith rounds out the three ranked wrestlers for the program. Smith enters the year as the fourth ranked wrestler in the 184 pound weight class. Smith placed sixth at the NCAA National Championships after winning out at the Regional Championships and joining Williams as a Regional Champion.
Fans can get their first taste of action on November 14, when the team participates in their Purple-Gold Dual at 7 p.m. in Arkadelphia. The team will begin competition just three days later, when they travel to St. Charles, Missouri to participate in the Lindenwood Open.
Photo by Dr. Wesley Kluck
