Cowboy senior wrestlers reflect on a career of greatness
Greg Dickinson
Asst. Sports Editor
Sunday is the last time Oklahoma State senior Chris Pendleton will take the mat for Bedlam.
The defending national champion at 174 pounds can still remember his first match against Oklahoma, but he said he cannot remember specific details.
“I don’t really remember much from my first Bedlam match, it was kind of like a deer in the headlights,” Pendleton said. “I know I lost 4-2 to Robbie Waller and it was one of the first times in college I’ve walked off the mat like, ‘What did I do the whole match,’ just because I was kind of petrified with that many people and it kind of froze me.”
Pendleton, ranked No. 1 in the country at 174 pounds, was upset by OU’s E.K. Waldhaus 11-10 in the first round of Bedlam this season.
He said has been waiting for a chance at a rematch.
“That’s a match that I’ve been thinking about since Dec. 9, so I’ve really been looking forward to going out and wrestling him again,” Pendleton said.
OSU coach John Smith said Pendleton has been a model wrestler and person during his five years as a Cowboy.
“He’s a kid that you would love to be around everyday, he’s got a great attitude, great personality, cares for others and at the same time is just meaner than heck on the mat,” Smith said.
Being part of the Cowboy tradition has been an honor for Pendleton, and he said he now knows what it means to be part of one of the successful programs in the country.
“This is a place that breeds champions just from the environment, the work ethic and everything, and even if you aren’t an (individual) NCAA Champion you are still a champion when you leave this room one way or another,” he said. “This is something you are going to be proud of for the rest of your life, making it here for five years.”
Pendleton is one of five seniors that will take part in senior day activities when the Sooners come to Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Ronnie Delk, Clark Shouse, Brett Munson and Mike Christian have all been a part of the Cowboys’ back-to-back national championships.
Smith said some of the wrestlers were not always starters, but they all worked hard and are a big reason for the Cowboys’ resurgence to the top.
“This is a group that has been very instrumental in helping us get to where we are today,” Smith said. “A lot of them have played back up rolls but they have been very loyal to the program and have really made a difference in us when it comes to being the best team in the country.”
With a win, the Cowboys will finish the dual season 21-0, but a victory over the Sooners also means the seniors never lost to OU during their career’s in Stillwater.
Smith said he cannot remember the last time a group of seniors went through their entire careers without losing to the Sooners.
“These guys are real fighters, they don’t want mediocracy they want greatness.”
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