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Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) Wrestling will host Oklahoma State University (OSU), Bucknell University, and Labette Community College for a joint NEO/OSU Wrestling Dual on November 6, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the NEO Fieldhouse on the NEO Campus in Miami, Okla. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at neowrestling.eventbrite.com. Tickets will be $25 for reserved seating and $20 for general admission. Space is limited, so pre-purchase is required. No passes will be accepted.
The defending national champion NEO wrestling team will take on Labette Community College on Mat One at the dual. Led by NJCAA Coach of the Year Joe Renfro, NEO grapplers are seeking to repeat their national title. Coach Renfro, who began coaching at NEO in the spring of 2013, has delivered NEO national championships in 2014 and 2016 and has also compiled career streak of district championships from 2005-2016 with the exception of 2009.
Renfro not only focuses on the success of his wrestlers on the mat, but also success in sportsmanship and academics, as proven by his career 85 All-Americans and 85 Academic All-Americans. “This event is going to sell out, so we are encouraging everyone to get their tickets early,” said Coach Renfro. “Our guys have been working very hard and we are excited to share the room with the OSU team.”
OSU is under the direction of Olympian John Smith in his 26th year at the program. Looking to build on their number two finish at the NCAA national tournament, OSU will face off against Bucknell University on Mat Two. Junior Dean Heil is also seeking to defend his 2015-16 NCAA national title. Coach John Smith is a back-to-back Olympic gold medalist (’88, ’92) and was named one of the Top 100 Greatest Olympians of All Time in 1996. Currently in the 101st year of the OSU wrestling program, Smith is the All-Time Winningest Coach, with a 384-59-6 career record. Like Renfro, Smith drives his wrestlers to embrace the values of hard work and dedication. To purchase tickets, visit neowrestling.eventbrite.com or for ticket information, contact Lisa Severe at Lsevere@neo.edu.