Dec. 31, 2002

RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State wrestling team will return to action on Thursday, January 2, with its first dual match of the season, a road matchup at fourth-ranked Oklahoma. The match will begin at 1 o'clock EST.

The Wolfpack will not be at full strength for the bout. Sophomore 165-pounder Kevin Gabrielson, battling a nagging high ankle sprain, will not wrestle, and junior 157-pounder Scott Garren is doubtful. Garren, ranked No. 18 nationally by Intermat, suffered a mild concussion in practice earlier in the week, and although he has been cleared to wrestle by team medical personnel, the coaching staff was seriously considering holding Garren out of action until the NC State Duals on January 11.

Further depleting the lineup, heavyweight Ricky Fowler was with the NC State football team at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., and will not join the team until January 11.

The Wolfpack addressed Gabrielson's injury by dropping 15th-ranked 174-pounder Dustin Kawa to 165 pounds. Freshman Mike Waite will make his collegiate debut by moving into Kawa's spot at 174.

One other lineup change will feature sophomore Daniel Pacitti, a transfer from UNC Greensboro, making his NC State debut at 133.

The Wolfpack will face a formidable opponent in Oklahoma, which had seven wrestlers ranked in the December 24 Intermat poll: 11th-ranked Bo Maynes at 125 pounds, No. 2 Witt Dunston at 133, 10th-ranked Nate Parker at 141, No. 4 Robbie Waller at 174, top-ranked Josh Lambrecht at 184, No. 11 Tom Grossman at 197, and second-ranked Leonce Crump at heavyweight.

Following is the Wolfpack's probable starting lineup against the Oklahoma Sooners:

125 -- George Cintron (3-3)

133 -- Daniel Pacitti (0-0)

141 -- Ryan McCallum (5-5)

149 -- Jake Giamoni (5-3)

157 -- Scott Garren (5-0)

165 -- Dustin Kawa (4-3)

174 -- Mike Waite (0-0)

184 -- Jon Godwin (2-4)

197 -- Daniel Humphries (3-4)

Hwt -- Matt Gulliver (0-0)