OSU out to defend NCAA wrestling crown

The N-C-double-A wrestling championship begins today, with Oklahoma State a heavy favorite to win its second straight N-C-double-A wrestling championship. <br><br>One rival coach joked that the only way

Thursday, March 18th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The N-C-double-A wrestling championship begins today, with Oklahoma State a heavy favorite to win its second straight N-C-double-A wrestling championship.

One rival coach joked that the only way to stop the Cowboys was to sabotage the team van.

Oklahoma State won its 31st championship last year, winning two individual titles. This time around the Cowboys are the only team with two top seeds -- Tyrone Lewis at 165 pounds and Chris Pendleton at 174. Both wrestlers are 29-and-1 this season.

They also have a Number Two seed and two Number Threes Plus, the Cowboys are coming off their sixth Big 12 championship in eight years.

Nebraska is seeded second, followed by Michigan, Iowa and Illinois.

The event is being held in St. Louis for the second time in four years.