Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Meets the Media
October 17, 2016 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith and members of the team met with the media Monday afternoon to preview the 2016-17 season at OSU's winter sports media day held at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Head Coach John Smith
Opening statement:
"As we go into this season, there is really a mix of age groups. It appears there could be three, up to four freshmen starting for us. One thing I do like is that probably half of my starting team will be half from Oklahoma and half from out of state. It's been a long time since I've had that. I don't know if that's good or bad, but it is a sign that in-state wrestling is pretty strong. It gives us a chance to pick up in-state kids and we've always felt comfortable doing that. They are closer to the program. In several polls we came out No. 1. Anywhere from one to three. That's probably about where we are. The majority of our guys are (ranked) between No. 5 and No. 12 (individually). You know in the end, you have to shrink that down. No. 5 to No. 12 isn't a lot of points in the end, so we need to move some guys into super star status a little bit. We are missing that Alex Dieringer coming that at you look at saying, 'It's going to be hard to beat this guy.' I don't know that we have anyone that you look at that's going to be hard to beat. Hopefully we develop a couple of those guys that kind of give us a kick start, someone to follow and lead the way in how we want to compete."
On who might become that super star:
"Well, I think we have several of them. I think it is kind of tough. We have some freshmen. You look at someone like Kaid Brock. We saved his redshirt after last year after he was injured. It's hard to do at 133 as a freshman. Those are tough weights, deep weights, very competitive weights. For him, it's just a matter of being competitive. You're not going to run through people at that weight class; not as a freshman. We need to go real slow with him and recognize he is young and needs to develop. I'd like to see someone like Nolan Boyd, Joseph Smith, Chandler Rodgers, Anthony Collica. Of course, Dean Heil winning that national title at a very competitive weight. He won three matches by less than two points. That's not dominating, that's just being tough. He will have to remain that way. That's a tough weight class. So, I just hope that we see someone stepping up, separating the scores and showing us how to lead ourselves in a way that allows us to have national champions."
On how important it was for Nolan Boyd to get All-American:
"Well, it was real important. I think when you work that hard, good things happen. Nolan Boyd is from Deer Creek and in his senior season this year. (He's in a) very tough weight class where everybody is back. The three guys that placed ahead of him are back. He still needs to close the gap technically. His will is there, his spirit is there. Technically, he needs to build in some things so he can beat these guys on a consistent basis. Never count him out. He is going to show up, he's going to represent and he's going to do everything he can to win a national championship."
On if he has a starting line up in mind yet:
"Not yet. You probably could name eight of them. Sometimes you do a little injustice to the guys trying to compete for the spot and you announce that these are the 10. You just want to make sure that they know and respect that they have a shot at this. And they have a shot till someone proves it. I think we are pretty set on Kaid Brock at 133. There is a good chance that Joseph (Smith) is the guy at 157, Collica at 149, Boyd at 184 and that's about it. The other six weights, I think, are pretty competitive. Let those athletes take an opportunity to take it."
Nolan Boyd – Senior – 184 pounds
On entering his senior year:
"Yeah, it has gone by fast. I've heard the saying that the days go by slow, but the years go by fast and that is really true for me."
On his expectations for himself this season:
"For myself, I just want to do the very best that I can do. Looking at nationals, I want to do the best that I can do for our team and help us win a national title. I want to help Coach Smith and all those guys in the room with us that you don't see win a national title."
On his mindset coming off being an All-American:
"It helps me because I know that I'm capable of it. I've seen guys move backward from there and I've seen guys move forward from there. I know what each of those groups of guys did so hopefully I can put all that together and move forward."
On having Dean Heil return after winning a national championship:
"It's awesome having Dean Heil in the room and just getting to see a national champion go to work and see his leadership. Everything he does for those smaller weights just motivates us in the upper weights to know that somebody has to step up and be a leader up there too. He's a leader by example and I think that's more important than anything else."
Head Coach John Smith
Opening statement:
"As we go into this season, there is really a mix of age groups. It appears there could be three, up to four freshmen starting for us. One thing I do like is that probably half of my starting team will be half from Oklahoma and half from out of state. It's been a long time since I've had that. I don't know if that's good or bad, but it is a sign that in-state wrestling is pretty strong. It gives us a chance to pick up in-state kids and we've always felt comfortable doing that. They are closer to the program. In several polls we came out No. 1. Anywhere from one to three. That's probably about where we are. The majority of our guys are (ranked) between No. 5 and No. 12 (individually). You know in the end, you have to shrink that down. No. 5 to No. 12 isn't a lot of points in the end, so we need to move some guys into super star status a little bit. We are missing that Alex Dieringer coming that at you look at saying, 'It's going to be hard to beat this guy.' I don't know that we have anyone that you look at that's going to be hard to beat. Hopefully we develop a couple of those guys that kind of give us a kick start, someone to follow and lead the way in how we want to compete."
On who might become that super star:
"Well, I think we have several of them. I think it is kind of tough. We have some freshmen. You look at someone like Kaid Brock. We saved his redshirt after last year after he was injured. It's hard to do at 133 as a freshman. Those are tough weights, deep weights, very competitive weights. For him, it's just a matter of being competitive. You're not going to run through people at that weight class; not as a freshman. We need to go real slow with him and recognize he is young and needs to develop. I'd like to see someone like Nolan Boyd, Joseph Smith, Chandler Rodgers, Anthony Collica. Of course, Dean Heil winning that national title at a very competitive weight. He won three matches by less than two points. That's not dominating, that's just being tough. He will have to remain that way. That's a tough weight class. So, I just hope that we see someone stepping up, separating the scores and showing us how to lead ourselves in a way that allows us to have national champions."
On how important it was for Nolan Boyd to get All-American:
"Well, it was real important. I think when you work that hard, good things happen. Nolan Boyd is from Deer Creek and in his senior season this year. (He's in a) very tough weight class where everybody is back. The three guys that placed ahead of him are back. He still needs to close the gap technically. His will is there, his spirit is there. Technically, he needs to build in some things so he can beat these guys on a consistent basis. Never count him out. He is going to show up, he's going to represent and he's going to do everything he can to win a national championship."
On if he has a starting line up in mind yet:
"Not yet. You probably could name eight of them. Sometimes you do a little injustice to the guys trying to compete for the spot and you announce that these are the 10. You just want to make sure that they know and respect that they have a shot at this. And they have a shot till someone proves it. I think we are pretty set on Kaid Brock at 133. There is a good chance that Joseph (Smith) is the guy at 157, Collica at 149, Boyd at 184 and that's about it. The other six weights, I think, are pretty competitive. Let those athletes take an opportunity to take it."
Nolan Boyd – Senior – 184 pounds
On entering his senior year:
"Yeah, it has gone by fast. I've heard the saying that the days go by slow, but the years go by fast and that is really true for me."
On his expectations for himself this season:
"For myself, I just want to do the very best that I can do. Looking at nationals, I want to do the best that I can do for our team and help us win a national title. I want to help Coach Smith and all those guys in the room with us that you don't see win a national title."
On his mindset coming off being an All-American:
"It helps me because I know that I'm capable of it. I've seen guys move backward from there and I've seen guys move forward from there. I know what each of those groups of guys did so hopefully I can put all that together and move forward."
On having Dean Heil return after winning a national championship:
"It's awesome having Dean Heil in the room and just getting to see a national champion go to work and see his leadership. Everything he does for those smaller weights just motivates us in the upper weights to know that somebody has to step up and be a leader up there too. He's a leader by example and I think that's more important than anything else."
Players Mentioned
/ Cowboy Wrestling
/ Cowboy Wrestling
/ Cowboy Wrestling
/ Cowboy Wrestling
/ Cowboy Wrestling
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