Mocco envisions a different ending

Written by Staff Writer at RPW

For the great career he has had, Steve Mocco’s final college match didn’t end how he envisioned it. In four matches against Minnesota’s Cole Konrad, who is three inches taller than Mocco, the Oklahoma State heavyweight did not win once this season.

Before this year, Mocco had not lost since he was a freshman when he lost in the NCAA finals to Tommy Rowlands. Throughout his collegiate career, Mocco only lost seven bouts, and six of those came at the hands of either Rowlands or Konrad.

But eventually, Mocco figured out a way to defeat Rowlands regularly. Can he do the same again to Konrad?

“Well, I’m still 1-0 against him in freestyle, “stated Mocco, speaking of his win over Konrad in last year’s World Team Trials. “I was really disappointed in losing that match. It was nice that the team still won the title, but I never want to lose a match, especially my last one. It was more sour because I think I wrestled him more aggressive and better than I had in our other matches this year. It’s not like we’re far apart.”

Indeed, it will not be back to the drawing board for Mocco. While as of late, he has struggled with heavyweights with a height advantage on him, including Konrad, Olympian Kerry McCoy and World bronze medalist Tolly Thompson, Mocco does not see cause for concern.

“I’m right there with a lot of these guys. It’s just a matter of changing some little things in what I am doing.”

Coming out of high school, Mocco was possibly the most sought-after heavyweight recruit in college wrestling history. In a weight class that is the toughest to fill, he was considered by most scouts as a “can’t-miss.”

They were right.

Iowa and Oklahoma State were the two main schools in the running for Mocco, though there were others. He chose Iowa, and was considered to be then-coach Jim Zalesky’s biggest recruit, and stamp on the Iowa program. Mocco was also about to be the most discussed heavyweight in U.S. wrestling history, fueled mainly by message board fodder.

After two NCAA finals appearances, and one title, Mocco took an Olympic redshirt year, placing third in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He then shocked the entire wrestling community by transferring to Iowa’s rival – Oklahoma State. The fans who cheered for him would now have to boo him.

“Making that decision was not easy, “Mocco said. “I left to help my development as a freestyle wrestler too. I didn’t see all my wrestling goals being accomplished with the situation I was in. At Iowa, there were some outside the wrestling program that were making it tough for us to succeed too. I liked the entire coaching staff, but sometimes outside pressure plays a role in things.”

Mocco’s entire persona changed after the transfer. His nickname went from “The Bear “to “The Great Pumpkin. “It also seemed as though the Cowboy fans embraced him more than Iowa fans did. They were not scared of him. In fact, they waited endlessly for the opportunity just to greet him.

Mocco made two more NCAA finals appearances in an orange singlet. He won again as a junior, and then was nominated for the “Best Male College Athlete “ESPY Award. It was his second straight undefeated season.

This year, things did not ever seem to go the way Mocco wanted them too. His team struggled at times, and he struggled at times. He was, however, always able to find solace when he would return home to his wife, Katie, and his ranch in Stillwater.

But for now, the goals are simple for Mocco.

Regroup. Focus. Earn a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team. And somewhere in that mix, he will be highly sought-after by the eight Real Pro Wrestling franchises as well, a possibility that sparks Mocco’s interest.

“It’s another level for wrestlers, “Mocco said of RPW. “It’s a way for us to get better. It’s a way for me to get better.”

Mocco, a New Jersey native, also is not concerned with which franchise he would end up competing for.

“My family is in New Jersey, but my home is in Oklahoma now. It would be good to wrestle for either New York or Oklahoma, but in wrestling terms, I can’t be worried about that. I’ll only be worried about winning matches.”

And winning is what Mocco envisions the rest of his career to include.