By Ben Elder Daily O’Collegian
Stillwater, OK (U-WIRE) — Oklahoma State University’s wrestling program has finished a five-year project that honors its 130 individual NCAA National Champions.
Located on the east wall of the wrestling room in Gallagher-Iba Arena, each national champion is depicted by an 8 inches wide, 11 inches tall sketch from the wrestlers’ respected era.
The 130 sketches take up about 50 feet of wall space creating a virtual “wall of champions.”
“We really thought it was a cool way to represent the champions, “said assistant wrestling coach Mark Branch. “It really looks classy. Everyone was impressed with the way it came out.”
Chronicling 86 years of wrestling history from the days of Ed Gallagher to John Smith, the wall represents the rich tradition of wrestling at OSU.
“It’s a great tribute to the legends of the past and for the new guys to look up there and put a face to the name they have known and heard about since they were little kids, “Branch said.
Not only does the wall serve as memoir to OSU’s 33 team national championships, it instills confidence in the new generation of Cowboy wrestlers.
125-pound sophomore Coleman Scott said the wall helps him push himself a little more each day.
“It’s awesome, “the All-American said. “It’s nice to look back at the history and it actually serves as a lot of motivation, as well.”
Coming off eight-place finish at nationals this past year, Scott said that the wall sets goals.
“I have gotten to known some of those guys and it just pushes me more cause I want my picture up there, too, “Scott said.
“I don’t want to be one of those guys who comes here and is a flop, I want to win a championship.”
Branch, who was a national champion in 1994 and 97, believes the recognition was an honor – but oh how the times have changed.
“Since they got up there all the guys are jabbing on each other and telling us how young we look, “Branch said. “It definitely dates us all, I think it might come back to haunt us. ”
Haunt or not, the 130 champions on the wall explain why the program has an NCAA record 33 national championships. The wrestling room has become a place where champions were made and now a place where they can stay forever.
“It’s an honor for me to be up there, “Branch said.
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