Oklahoma State University Athletics
John Smith, Coleman Scott, Cody Hill Talk Bedlam
December 01, 2007 | Cowboy Wrestling
OSU Head Wrestling Coach John Smith
On Bedlam
“It's serious to us. Is it going to make a difference in our success or failure at the end of the year? Not at all, this dual meet means very little. But is it important to win? Absolutely it's important to win. The reason it's important is because when it's over and you're done with your career you want those wins. You want those big wins and big Bedlam matches and have good memories.”
On Coleman Scott's slow start this season
“I think for him it takes a little time to get adjusted and some of his performance has been dictated by his weight, just getting it down to 133. He hasn't done a lot in his matches the last several weeks, more standing and really no initiative and no presence on the mat. I will say this though, over the last two days of workouts you see a totally different guy and normally that leads you into a lot better performance.”
“He's relied on some of the team leadership we've had in the past, and (now) he's kind of been thrown into that role so there's been an adjustment for him that he hasn't had to deal with in the past and maybe its been a little bit more pressure than normal, but he definitely hasn't accepted his performance up to this point. Those things can change overnight if you're doing the right things, which I've seen him doing in the last couple days.”
On performances of newcomers
“I've been pleased with some and I don't think I'm disappointed with any. But again the matches we've had up to this point, our competition is obviously going to get a lot tougher and that's where you're going to start judging people a little bit more.”
On season so far
“I do like several things that have occurred up to this point. I like the fact that condition-wise I think we're in better shape than we've been in at this point in a long time. I think we needed to do that with this particular group, I don't think there's any risk or negativity that will come later as long as we stay motivated.”
On freshman Cody Hill
“I like the fact that even though in some of his matches he hasn't wrestled maybe somebody that has a name, you like to see those type of kids go out and pick up big points when you're expecting that. It's a good sign that he's working hard and not settling in for just wins.”
On the battle at 197 between Jared Shelton and Clayton Foster
“I think the key for us this year is to try to put the best team on the mat. I think it's important for the future and the years coming up. I think we'll probably see Clayton Foster starting on Sunday, he's a true freshman that I pulled out for one match at the Northeast Duals. It's something that he wants to do. Jared Shelton will still be in the mix, but right now the nod is probably towards Foster with his last win over Shelton and his performances up to this point.”
Senior Coleman Scott
On newcomers preparing for Bedlam
“They know enough about it that they'll step up and know how bad we want to win this one and do what they can. They've all been around here and heard everybody talking, so I think they're going to be fine.”
On preparation for Bedlam
“It seems like everybody is working really hard right now and they're a little more motivated and it's been a good week of practice so far. I think part of that has to do with the match on Sunday.”
On Bedlam also being the home opener
“It's a time for everybody to come out and see how much we've improved and see some of the young guys wrestle and we want to make a statement here early and start off strong.”
Freshman Cody Hill
On having to redshirt last season
“Last year was tough because I knew I was a redshirt and I wasn't going to get pulled out of redshirt, but I think this summer and after spring break when I started training with Chris Pendleton, I think that's when it started getting hard. Last year I didn't do anything, I went to three wrestling tournaments and it was over.”
On Bedlam and being a local product
“It's going to be interesting because Michael Lightner (fellow Marlow native) is the club coach at OU and he's going to be sitting on the other side. It's going to be a little different looking at him as an enemy instead of a friend. It'll be fun though, especially the atmosphere. I remember coming to OU-OSU duals growing up and it was just awesome being in the atmosphere of it.”
