Oklahoma State University Athletics
Then and Now: OSU's 1994 National Champions
September 11, 2014 | Cowboy Wrestling
By Sam Guertler, OSU media relations
In 1993, the Oklahoma State wrestling program was hit by NCAA sanctions that had significant impact on the program.
The Cowboys were coming off of a second-place finish in the 1992 NCAA Championships when penalties were placed on OSU wrestling for violating NCAA policies. Some of the stipulations included three years of probation, loss of competition on television and, most notably, a ban from the 1993 NCAA tournament.
It was a significant obstacle to overcome, but there was still hope growing in the 1994 team.
Wrestlers Alan Fried, Mark Branch, Pat Smith and head coach John Smith knew what they were facing, but their talent and drive were just what the Cowboys needed to put their historic wrestling program back on track.
In a season that seemed like it would be the first step in a long recovery, John Smith led the Cowboys to a 13-1 dual meet record, took the Big 8 team championship title, won the 1994 NCAA team championship and boasted three NCAA individual champions in Fried, Branch and Pat Smith.
It was John's first full, sanction-free season, and his Cowboys dominated the team tournament with a score of 94.75 team points. Iowa was next-best at a distant 76.5 points. It served as a launching pad for Coach Smith to turn the Cowboys back into the traditional powerhouse they have always been.
Smith, who took over the head coach position in 1992 after serving as assistant coach, definitely had the credentials to show he was up for the task. He is a two-time NCAA champion as a wrestler, holding various school records including career victories (154) and single season victories (47), a two-time Olympic Gold medalist and five-time NCAA champion as a coach.
Smith is in his 24th season as head coach of the Cowboys, and his legendary career continues to grow.
As Oklahoma State's all-time winningest coach, Smith has shown his wrestlers that Cowboy wrestling does not stop after graduation.
Fried is just one example of taking Cowboy wrestling's rich tradition into all walks of life.
Winning the 1994 title in the 142-pound weight class, Fried was a dominant wrestler. In addition to his title, Fried also tallied runner-up finishes at the NCAA tournament in 1991 and 1992 at 134 pounds. He might have had another title if he had been able to compete in 1993.
Fried is a three-time All-American and finished his wrestling career with a 128-6 record, holding the No. 2 spot on OSU's all-time wins list.
Upon graduation, Fried developed himself off the mat in a multitude of ways.
In 2002, he received a law degree from Cleveland State University and went on to pass the bar exam in Illinois and Ohio to focus on criminal defense.
After 25 years, Fried returned to his hometown in Cleveland and now runs the Fried Wrestling Academy in Beachwood, Ohio.
Fried's goal is to take what he learned during his time as a Cowboy and help wrestlers from youth until graduation gain good experience through consistency.
He said he likes the idea of working with the same kids throughout their youth wrestling careers and developing them as wrestlers and people through character development.
Pat Smith, Coach John Smith's brother, has one of the most storied wrestling careers of any Division I wrestler.
Pat finished his Cowboy wrestling career ranking seventh in winning percentage (.961), ninth in total victories (122) and fourth in major decisions (35).
Pat solidified his Cowboy legend with his 98-match win streak, putting him in the conversation with some of the all-time greats.
Perhaps Pat's most impressive feat was becoming the first wrestler to ever be a four-time NCAA individual champion, putting an exclamation point on the Cowboys' remarkable 1994 season. Only two others have accomplished the feat at the Division I level since.
He finished his collegiate career with a dominant 122-4-2 record.
Since leaving his assistant coach position at Oklahoma State in 2006, Pat has helped the development of wrestling in the state of Arkansas.
Pat now leads the Arkansas Wrestling Academy by teaching various wrestling styles and techniques to local youth and coaches the Arkansas Junior and Cadet National teams.
Tyler Mann, an Oklahoma State freshman wrestler, is one of Smith's pupils and evidence of how Pat Smith still helps the program today.
Mann transcended through Smith's academy to become the first DI wrestler from the state of Arkansas.
Although he's not contracted by Oklahoma State, Pat's wrestling styles and techniques continue to leave its mark on the Cowboy wrestling program.
Another champion from the 1994 team, Mark Branch emerged onto the Cowboy wrestling scene in dramatic fashion.
As a freshman, the Newkirk, Okla., native entered the 1994 NCAA tournament with just an 8-9 season record only to become one of five freshmen in Cowboy wrestling history to win an NCAA title.
Branch exited from the Cowboy wrestling program in dominant fashion, ending his senior season with a perfect 32-0 record and his third NCAA title in 1997.
Cowboy roots still run deep in Branch as he is in his seventh year as the head coach at the University of Wyoming.
Since Branch's tenure, Wyoming wrestling has gained significant esteem.
Under his tutelage, four UW Cowboys made it to the 2014 NCAA Championships, totaling 31 over a six-year span, and he has developed eight All-America finishers.
Branch has acquired many accolades, including being named Western Wrestling Conference Coach of the Year (2008-09, 2011-12), West Region Coach of the Year (2009-10) and Top Rookie Coach in the nation (2008).
Branch holds an overall coaching record of 63-28 and a conference record of 30-3, making the Wyoming Cowboys the team to beat in the Western Wrestling Conference.
Although the 1993 season seemed to signal a decline in the prestigious Oklahoma State Cowboy wrestling program, the 1994 season was one of the best years in the historic Cowboy wrestling tale.
The collection of Fried, Branch, and a pair of Smiths proved to be the perfect storm.
Their legends will always be remembered in the Oklahoma State wrestling program, but their lives continue to impact their communities.
Oklahoma State wrestling was not just a phase of life for them, but they continue to leave a lasting impact through it.
Players Mentioned
