“If we can be a top 15 team with a couple of All-Americans, then we would have done a good job,” Spates said. “ Would we like to do better than that? Absolutely. But given the fact that we’re going into it so light, it’s going to be a challenge.

“It’s hard to compete with just five guys, but we’re anticipating those five guys are going to go out and battle.”

OU is bringing its front line guys, as all five are ranked. Ranked fifth, Weitzel will be the favorite to earn an All-American honor.

Flaggert is a two-time All-American, placing fourth and fifth. He’ll enter into his final NCAA Tournament at a disadvantage, having torn an ACL at the Big 12 Tournament. He qualified for the NCAAs as a wildcard.

“You know, two years ago, he placed fifth with a torn hamstring,” Spates said. “He’s capable of extraordinary things.”

As for Rowe, he still has one more year to do extraordinary things. He’s a junior, but he would like those things to happen this weekend.

“I’m excited and ready,” he said. “I’ve been ready for a while. This is my third time. I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what your draw is. If you want to be an All-American, you’re going to have to beat tough wrestlers, anyway. This is what you work for all year.”

Scott Moore

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sports@normantranscript.com