By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Oklahoma State put itself in early position to win a third straight NCAA wrestling championship on Thursday by advancing eight grapplers to the quarterfinals.
Heavyweight Steve Mocco's first-period pin capped a big opening day for the Cowboys, who were in first place with 39 points and had a 13-point lead in the three-day tournament.
Minnesota was second with 26 points and Oklahoma third at 25, followed by Cornell at 22.5 and Illinois & Iowa tied for fifth at 22.
On Friday, there will be a ceremony at the Union Station noting the 75th anniversary of NCAA Division I wrestling championships.
Fourteen of the greatest collegiate wrestlers ever will be named to the all-time team at Union Station. The event will also include video highlights of past championships, an autograph session and a roundtable discussion.