Oklahoma State University Athletics
Esposito Looks to End Career on High Note
March 14, 2006 | Cowboy Wrestling
“To be here all four years to win a national championship is something special. Not many people get to say they've done that before. It kind of reassures that we're the best in the country in wrestling; not only in the past couple of years but in the history of college wrestling.”
This is what drives Zack Esposito every single day. The thought of never losing as a team in the postseason is almost unreal. Nevertheless, that is what Esposito and his fellow senior teammates are on the verge of doing.
The senior from Three Bridges, New Jersey has the opportunity to reach his third title match in as many years. After dropping the finals in 2004, he finally captured his first individual NCAA championship last year. A repeat would taste even better.
When asked if he would rather have that second individual title or a fourth for his team, he said, “I know if I get my individual ring it will help out that fourth team ring, that kind of question goes back and forth but its kind of a hard one to answer, can't really say that.”
Do not be misled, Esposito definitely puts his team first, but that desire for individual success is exactly what has made him the wrestler he is today. And without the success of Esposito, Oklahoma State might not even have the opportunity to win its fourth straight national championship.
Zack has turned himself into a champion among champions in Stillwater. He posted a respectable 25-5 record as a true freshman in 2003, but he has made leaps and bounds in all facets of his game since then. He put up a 22-3 mark this year, and he now ranks 12th all-time in victories at OSU. Esposito awards head coach John Smith with much of the credit.
“He helped develop me into more of a technician than I was when I first got her. He helped me overcome a lot of adversity and that's really important, he did a great job”
Esposito's time as a Cowboy has flown by for his fans and for himself. However, I'm sure he will look back one day and enjoy all the moments and experiences he had. Even a loss in the upcoming NCAA Championships could not take away the lifetime of memories Esposito will walk away with.
When asked about what he is doing to prepare for this year's NCAA tournament Esposito said, “When I leave here, just put it all behind me. When I go down to nationals and I walk in that arena, then its all business.” He doesn't sound like a man who plans on leaving Stillwater with a loss.
