From the student paper at Oklahoma State
Cowboy wrestlers beat adversity
Ben Elder
Asst. Sports Editor
For the third consecutive year, the Oklahoma State wrestling team has won the National Duals.
But unlike most dual meets this season, the Cowboys faced adversity from several teams, including No. 11 Cornell, No. 5 Lehigh and No. 2 Illinois. All those teams stood in the way of the championship.
“It was good to win three straight,” coach John Smith said. “I think without a question this was the toughest one to win out of all three.”
The Cowboys trailed early in all three of their matches against the ranked opponents, but relied on their heavier weights to get the job done.
“This was important, hopefully it isn’t our best effort,” Smith said. “But at the same time I like that we struggled throughout it, but yet maintain enough focus to continue to stay claimed as the best dual team in the nation.”
While OSU was winning as a team, two Cowboy wrestlers ranked No. 1 at their weights fell victim to their first loss of the season.
Juniors Jake Rosholt at 197 pounds and Zack Esposito at 149 both picked up a loss at the tournament.
“They had very poor matches and both were in the match to win,” Smith said, “But yet I think there is a lot of benefit to wrestling poor, it reminds you that it can happen.”
The Cowboys used some new faces to help win a few matches.
Freshman Jack Jensen started for the Cowboys at 184 pounds in the dual against Lehigh.
Jensen came through for the Cowboys and picked up a decision over Lehigh’s Matt Cassidy, 6-3.
“It was great to finally get an opportunity to wrestle,” Jensen said. “I just had to prepare like any other match, it was real fun and exciting.”
Freshman Sam Lewnes also contributed a victory for the Cowboys over the weekend.
Lewnes got a start for the Cowboys when sophomore 165-pounder Johny Hendricks had to miss a match do to an injury.
No. 1 ranked Cowboys Steve Mocco and Chris Pendleton contributed exactly what was expected of them over the weekend.
Pendleton, 4-0 over the weekend, picked up the outstanding wrestler award for the tournament.
“I was really proud to get it,” Pendleton said. “But I think Steve should of got it, especially after man-handling each guy.”
Mocco continued his domination at the tournament in his first year as a Cowboy and remains the only unbeaten wrestler left on the squad.
“Steve is a great asset,” Smith said. “Steve is a Cowboy.”
Although the wrestling squad faced great strides of adversity over the weekend, Smith remains optimistic.
“It’s easy to win and keep winning, it’s tough to lose and turn it around,” said Smith whose Cowboys return to the mat Thursday against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.
“You have to ask, What kind man are you? And how you win a team national championship are the people that face the adversity and fight through it and try to turn things around.”
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