By Joe Lyons
Of the Post-Dispatch
The Oklahoma State wrestling team did what it was supposed to do Saturday evening, putting the finishing touches on its third consecutive NCAA Division I championship at Savvis Center.
And the Cowboys did it in grand fashion.
“I tell our guys all the time that pressure is a privilege, “Cowboys coach John Smith said. “We came in here knowing what was expected, and we accepted the challenge. Wrapping up the team title on Friday is something we’re proud of, but I’m just as impressed with the way our guys responded today.
“To see our guys reach their individual goals today, capturing the championships they’ve worked for and dreamed of, it’s tremendously gratifying.”
The Cowboys, who went five-for-five in Saturday’s title matches, finished the three-day tournament with 153 points, 70 points ahead of runner-up Michigan (83). Rounding out the top five were Oklahoma (77 1/2), Cornell (76 1/2) and Minnesota (72 1/2).
With five individual champions, Oklahoma State matched Iowa’s 1997 squad, which accounted for an NCAA-record 170 team points.
“I don’t know that we’re the best ever – that’s for you guys to decide – but this is the best team I’ve ever coached, “Smith said. “Not to take anything away from any other team I’ve had, but this team, on this weekend, gave as much effort as any team I’ve ever coached.
“In every tough situation this weekend, we excelled. “
The Cowboys got championship performances from Zack Esposito at 149, Johny Hendricks at 165, Chris Pendleton at 174, Jake Rosholt at 197 and Steve Mocco at heavyweight.
“Our team has done everything that was asked of us this year without complaining or backing down, “Pendleton said after beating Missouri’s Ben Askren 10-5 for back-to-back national titles. “Some of the fans booed us, but we were the ones who traveled to their home states to wrestle in their arenas, sometimes to wrestle three dual meets in a week while juggling classes and practices, and we came out of it with a win.
“And by the time the Big 12s and NCAAs rolled around, I swear, a week in Stillwater with Coach Smith was a nightmare. “
Esposito, who lost to Harvard’s Jesse Jantzen – the 2004 Most Outstanding Wrestler – in a title match last year, defeated another crowd favorite in winning 5-2 over Army’s Phillip Simpson at 149.
“As I was warming up, I was thinking about that, being up against a guy who’d have most of the crowd on his side, “said Esposito, who finished 35-1. “But that’s OK; I like that kind of challenge. Besides, I knew I had the sea of orange (Cowboys fans) with me.
“My knee hurts, my head hurts and my face looks terrible. But it’s all worthwhile. “
At 165, the Cowboys’ Hendricks won 5-2 over Iowa freshman Mark Perry, the nephew of OSU coach Smith.
“That first takedown was huge because it allowed me to set the pace for the match, “said Hendricks (27-4), who was fifth as a freshman last year. “Up 2-0, I knew that even if I made a mistake, I could scramble and still be in the match. “
Pendleton (36-1) posted his fourth win over Mizzou’s Askren this season for the title at 174. The two Big 12 rivals also met for the title a year ago, with Pendleton winning 11-4.
Rosholt, a national champion in 2003 and a third-place finisher a year ago, won this year’s title at 197, winning 5- 4 over Northern Iowa’s Sean Stender.
“The last six weeks have been a real struggle for Jake, “coach Smith said. “He’s been injured and missed some time in the room. But he battled through all that and won even though he wasn’t at 100 percent. “
Top-seeded Mocco (36-0) capped the big day for the Cowboys, winning 3-1 over Minnesota’s Cole Konrad on a foot sweep takedown in overtime.
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