Oklahoma State University Athletics
Wrestling Runs Deep Through Mark Smith's Family
June 21, 1999 | Cowboy Wrestling
February 18, 1999
By Casey Shedd
OSU Media Relations
Coming from a family rich in wrestling tradition, Mark Smith hasn't let that become a burden just an identity. "I have always been a wrestler, I love the sport," said Smith. The youngest of four decorated wrestlers, Smith has had some big shoes to fill.
After compiling an 118-2 high school record , Smith came to Stillwater to wrestle under the tutelage of two very familiar coaches, brothers Pat and John.
"I don't think any added pressure is placed on me (because my brothers are coaches here) I put a little pressure on myself because I know how good I can be."
"If I don't wrestle well, I get real aggregated with myself it's not because my brothers are the coaches." With a career 87-20 record, Smith has proven to be a dominant wrestler for OSU, with 51 bonus point wins. Smith earned a spot on the starting squad in 1995 as a true freshman, but injuries hampered his progress and he ended up with a 12-10 record.
Early in his career, Smith wrestled out of his natural weight class showing his desire to help the team win. During the 1997 season, Smith wrestled very tough at 177 pounds and went into the national tournament seeded No. 1. He advanced to the quarterfinals before losing and finished the tournament in fourth place. " I have always been at really tough weights, my weight classes were never wide open they usually had someone defending there." Wrestling at more natural 167 pounds for the 1998 season, Smith won his second straight Big 12 title. He went into the NCAAs with a lot of momentum which carried with him before losing in the semifinals. Again he wound up with a ever so disappointing 4th place finish. One of four seniors that have helped to compile the 67-dual winning streak, Smith uses the other seniors for motivation in tough times. " I always look to those guys when I don't want to wrestle. I look at them as they prepare and wrestle and they do a good job, it really motivates me."
On a team that has accomplished so much during the regular season one thing remains unfinished, winning a team national championship. "I think this is our year, said Smith. "We have a good mix of guys who have been there before, but it's going to take every OSU wrestler to go in there and score points for us."
The No. 1 ranked 174 pounder has shown his top-ranked form after a slow start in the 1999 season.
With a record of 28-0 heading into the final dual of the season against arch rival Iowa at Gallagher-Iba on Sunday, Smith finish strong and prepare for nationals.
"This year I've wrestled and beat the best guys at my weight. So come national time with a little added conditioning, I'll be really hard to beat."
