Oklahoma State University Athletics
Freshmen get crash course in Cowboy wrestling 101
April 18, 2003 | Cowboy Wrestling
By Roger Moore - Stillwater Newspress Sports Editor
Johny Hendricks, Zach Esposito and Derrick Fleenor haven't lost a lot of wrestling matches over the last couple of years.
Hendricks claimed his second national freestyle title last July in Fargo, N.D., while Esposito won his first. Fleenor was a four-time state champion for El Reno.
But all that is quickly forgotten when equipment is checked out at Oklahoma State. All those high school credentials are a thing of the past when it comes to the daily grind of the wrestling room.
Workout partners range from members of the U.S. World Team in Eric Guerrero and Daniel Cormier to a two-time All-American in Shane Roller or defending 133-pound NCAA champion Johnny Thompson.
"It's awesome," said Esposito, a 141/149 pound freshman from Blair Academy in New Jersey. "You have the best guys in the country and you can't go wrong. I knew it was going to be tough and I knew I had to be ready.
"It's always a little more than what you expect. They do jump on you and let you know that you have a long ways to go to get where they are."
Hendricks, an Edmond Memorial product who will most likely redshirt this season, dominated opponents for the last two seasons. The athletic 157/165 pounder had little trouble scoring takedowns in winning three state titles.
That was then.
"Whenever you get in here, if you did have a big ego they put it right back down," said Hendricks after Monday's practice. "I've worked out with Tyrone Lewis the last couple of years but once you get in here it is a whole new ballgame. You are live wrestling with some of the best in the country non-stop and it is just going to make you a lot better.
"If you can make this team at any weight then you are pretty good."
"(The freshmen) understand," said OSU head coach John Smith. "I would really worry if I had freshmen coming in here and whipping people. The nice thing about (Hendricks and Esposito) is that they won't quit. They get right back up and contintue to battle. There is that adjustment time but these guys have high expectations. They aren't satisfied with getting whipped, it's not acceptable to them and that is the kind of talent you need in the room."
One of those responsible for keeping egos in check is Roller, a senior who has advanced to the 157-pound NCAA semifinals the last two seasons. A four-time state champion from Bixby, Roller knows exactly what the rookies are going through.
"Coming in out of high school, a lot of guys think they can step right in from the very beginning and make this team," Roller said. "But it takes extra work compared to high school. Most freshman realize that after a couple of weeks of practice. You'll see a couple of them getting frustrated but I've noticed most of our freshman doing a really good job so far."
With the season opening dual not until Nov. 16 against Tennessee-Chattanooga, Smith has a couple of weight classes he's keeping a close eye on.
Returning All-Americans Skyler Holman (125), Thompson (133), Roller (157) and Lewis (165), along with redshirt freshman Jake Rosholt (184) and senior transfer Muhammed Lawal (197) appear to be set for starting spots.
141, 149, 174 and 285 pounds are all very competitive.
Esposito plans on making 141 and will challenge incumbent Ronnie Delk, a sophomore from Collinsville who started as a freshman, and Morrison sophomore Clark Shouse.
Jerrod Sanders started as a junior and showed signs of All-American potential at 149. He will have to hold off redshirt freshman Kevin Ward, from Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
At 174, Chris Pendleton is at the top of the depth chart but tough Chad Reid, a senior from Sallisaw, will challenge.
And at 285, Will Gruenwald and Michael Christian will most likely fight for the spot with freshman Blake Seiler taking a redshirt season.
"We've got a good working team," Smith said. "I definitely like what they've done preseason-wise with their lifting and taking care of a lot of business. It's an important start to your season to come in ready to go. I'm really happy with where we are from a physical standpoint right now.
"We still have a ways to go to get ready for our first competition, but this team has gotten off to a good start in a lot of ways."
The real deal
Lawal, a Division II national champion at Central Oklahoma last season, is as athletic a 197 pounder as you will see. Watching Lawal work out with former NCAA runner up Daniel Cormier, it is easy to see why OSU's coaching staff is high on the transfer.
Not many double leg attacks compare to Thompson's but Lawal is not far behind. Be prepared for another upper-weight athlete in the mold of Cormier to keep you on the edge of your seats in Gallagher-Iba this season.
However, as solid as Lawal is, he is still smart enough not to lock up upper body with Cormier.
