Nick Williams to Receive 2018 Gallagher Award

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith has announced Nick Williams as the recipient of the 2018 Gallagher Award, which will be presented prior to Sunday's Bedlam dual. The Gallagher Award is presented annually to an OSU alumnus who exemplifies the spirit and leadership eminent in the tradition of champions.

"Coach Williams is one of my favorites," Smith said. "I've been so proud watching his coaching career. Everywhere he's been, he's been successful. What he's done at Altus has been amazing. He continues to set examples for young coaches all around the state. Last spring, he was diagnosed with ALS and today he's still coaching. That tells you a lot about Nick Williams the coach. We're excited about Nick receiving the 2018 Gallagher Award. If anyone deserves it, it's him."

Williams lettered at Oklahoma State from 1993-95, wrestling mostly at heavyweight for the Cowboys, and has been the head wrestling coach at Altus High School since 2004 following stints at Madill—where he was named the 2A Coach of the Year in 2002—and Mangum.

Since the beginning of his career at Altus, the two-time 5A Oklahoma Coach of the Year has coached 62 state qualifiers, 21 state placers, 15 state champions and eight All-Americans. He was named an All-State coach in 2010.

Before coming to Oklahoma State, Williams was a three-time Oklahoma state champ at Geary High School.

Gallagher Award Recipients
1986 - Rex Peery
1987 - Frank Lewis
1988 - Myron Roderick
1989 - Tommy Chesbro
1990 - Joe McDaniel
1991 - John W. Divine
1996 - Ray Murphy
1997 - John Smith
1998 - Grady Peninger
1999 - Kenny Monday
2000 - Pat Smith
2001 - Kendall Cross
2002 - Mike Sheets
2003 - Doug Blubaugh
2004 - Grover Rains
2005 - Bobby Douglas
2006 - Charles Hetrick
2007 - Fred Davis
2008 - Lee Roy Smith
2009 - Bobby Stites
2010 - Bill Harlow
2011 - Eddie Griffin
2013 - Jim Shields
2014 - Mike Jones
2015 - Jay Arneson
2016 - Hardell Moore
2017 - Stanley Henson
2018 – Nick Williams

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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