Oklahoma State University Athletics
Scott Seeks Another World Team Bid
June 19, 2013 | Cowboy Wrestling
June 19, 2013
By Kelli Grashel
OSU Athletics
They say you can't go home again but former OSU wrestler Coleman Scott, who brought home a bronze medal from the London Olympics, will be back in Stillwater to compete in the World Team Trials June 21-23.
Despite having won Bronze just months ago, Scott still has to fight for a spot on the U.S. team.
"The rules have been in place a long time about that, but in our sport you had to win your spot and win it outright every year," Scott said. "I like it. It keeps you on top of your game."
With the new IOC rules in place, the upcoming trials will be the first time the new rules will be on display for the world to experience.
"I love them. Aesthetically, it looks good on the scoreboard. It's going to benefit the offensive wrestler, which creates a lot of action and makes it a lot more fan friendly," Scott said. "Hopefully we can get it just as simple as possible, and everybody can understand them, and it will be a lot better in the long run for us."
Regarding the IOC decision whether or not to reinstate wrestling in 2020 Olympics, Scott says he is not nervous for what the board will decide.
"It was a big decision just to get us in the top three. You have to go up a different level and take everything. I think with the rule changes we've made that step," Scott said.
Scott has done tours around the country to promote the sport with several teammates and the USOC.
"I've done a couple of tours around the country and just sort of put my name out there if anybody needs advice or interviews. We need to get our names out there and we need to get people in the venue to show that we are an exciting sport," Scott said.
Scott aims to make the sport seem as mainstream as possible.
"It's a lot bigger than us internationally. There's a panel of people that are going to vote on us, and I don't know if they have ever seen a wrestling match," Scott said. "You always have to make yourself available in instances like this. You have to put aside what your personal stuff is and say OK I'll do that for our sport because without this sport I don't know where I'd be."
Scott was wrestling overseas when he found out about the IOC's original decisions to remove wrestling from the Olympics and was in complete disbelief.
"I sort of just thought that it was like a blunder on the news. We took action immediately, FILA did, our governing body. We got new leadership and then a couple months later they changed the rules," Scott said. "So I think we are on the right path, and I think we have the right people in the lead right now doing this, and I think it's good for us."
Scott was wrestling overseas in Iran, a place he has visited a few times, when he heard the news. If any sport can unify countries despite political issues, it's wrestling.
"We put all the political issues aside and get along. It's us, Iran and Russia who really get along in wrestling, and are top three and four in the world every year," Scott said.
Scott has been to Iran three or four times and this year was probably the most significant with political issues.
"We let the governments handle their deal, but we can always show good sportsmanship and get along. It's just those little things that I hope someone higher up can look at it and say `OK they're almost civilized and together,'" Scott said. "I hope someone can look at it and take note of many people we can touch. We go over there and we're superstars. They don't care and love that we are from the U.S."
And he was a superstar indeed. After winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, Scott went onto to earn an Olympic bid. In a best-of-three championship series in Times Square, Scott defeated his opponents to earn the 60kg spot.
"Being a part of the Olympics as a whole...it's such a huge stage that we have in our head. You do it for the pride of your country and winning that medal," Scott said. "It's something that we will remember as family and as a community for a lifetime."
His successful road to the Olympics started at OSU and will circle back to Stillwater later this week. In Scott's time at OSU, he was the 2008 NCAA champion and was a four-time All-American.
"It's the most historic program in the country, and then, of course, having Coach Smith, one of the greatest wrestlers ever, leading you. I think that leads to success. Being able to look up to someone who has already done it," Scott said. "That's the biggest thing about coming here. It's not just for college. It's for life."
Not only does Scott spend his time trying to save wrestling and getting an Olympic medal, but he is also raising a two-year-old daughter. A daughter that he hopes will be able to tell her friends one day that her dad was an Olympic champion.
"Hopefully one day she can say that she witnessed her dad win a gold medal," Scott said. "She didn't get to go to London. She was a little too young and we knew at that time she wouldn't be able to absorb any of it."
Scott and his wife plan to take their daughter to Rio in three years when she will be able to absorb the 2016 experience.
"Hopefully it just inspires her that no matter where you're from or what you do, you have to dream big and chase it," Scott said. "That's a privilege I have every day whether you're from small-town Oklahoma, or small-town Pennsylvania like I am. You do everything in your power and good stuff will happen around you."
Scott is the epitome of a role model for young wrestlers at OSU and young wrestlers all around the world. His passion for wrestling is what every driven athlete strives for in their respective sport. Scott fights every day for the right to chase his dreams in the sport he loves, and he will continue to do so until that gold medal is hanging around his neck.
"It starts with a dream. You have to believe in yourself before you can do anything," Scott said. "If you do everything possible, and live your life right off the mat, good things will happen. If you prepare yourself to be the best, then you will be the best."
