Oklahoma State University Athletics
John Smith’s Top 25 Moments: 25-21
October 23, 2015 | Cowboy Wrestling
In this series, Oklahoma State's wrestling coach John Smith, who enters his 25th year at the helm of the program, reflects on some of his top moments during his coaching career.
25: J.J. McGrew beating Joel Sharratt at 1995 NCAA Championships in Iowa City
"Sharratt was ranked No. 1 from Iowa, and McGrew was ranked No. 3 from Oklahoma State. Throughout the year, McGrew lost to Sharratt twice—once at Iowa and once in a neutral setting, but in the NCAA finals J.J. had the match that he needed to have to win, 8-6, and take the title right there in Iowa City."
24: Zack Esposito signing with OSU
"We had a couple holes that we needed to fill. One of them was 141-49, where we felt like Esposito would be at those two weights over his career. We felt like it was a long shot because he was on the east coast, but in the end when we got his signature, we knew it was a big moment for us. Zack went on to be on four NCAA championship teams and he won an individual title of his own."
23: Teague Moore winning the NCAA title in 1998
"It was a great setting with a matchup that looked like Teague was an underdog. It was such an unbelievable flurry with Teague in an unusual position. He ended up pinning the David Morgan from Michigan State in less than five minutes to become the NCAA champion."
22: Ben Lee winning his match at Iowa to win dual meet in 1998
"He wrestles the match of his life against Matt Hand and takes it to overtime. He wins a controversial overtime for Oklahoma State to slip out of the gym, winning 4-3. It was such an exciting match."
21: His first NCAA Champion
"My very first NCAA individual champion was my brother, Pat. He went on to win his third NCAA title that year. It's exciting to have your brother be your first."
25: J.J. McGrew beating Joel Sharratt at 1995 NCAA Championships in Iowa City
"Sharratt was ranked No. 1 from Iowa, and McGrew was ranked No. 3 from Oklahoma State. Throughout the year, McGrew lost to Sharratt twice—once at Iowa and once in a neutral setting, but in the NCAA finals J.J. had the match that he needed to have to win, 8-6, and take the title right there in Iowa City."
24: Zack Esposito signing with OSU
"We had a couple holes that we needed to fill. One of them was 141-49, where we felt like Esposito would be at those two weights over his career. We felt like it was a long shot because he was on the east coast, but in the end when we got his signature, we knew it was a big moment for us. Zack went on to be on four NCAA championship teams and he won an individual title of his own."
23: Teague Moore winning the NCAA title in 1998
"It was a great setting with a matchup that looked like Teague was an underdog. It was such an unbelievable flurry with Teague in an unusual position. He ended up pinning the David Morgan from Michigan State in less than five minutes to become the NCAA champion."
22: Ben Lee winning his match at Iowa to win dual meet in 1998
"He wrestles the match of his life against Matt Hand and takes it to overtime. He wins a controversial overtime for Oklahoma State to slip out of the gym, winning 4-3. It was such an exciting match."
21: His first NCAA Champion
"My very first NCAA individual champion was my brother, Pat. He went on to win his third NCAA title that year. It's exciting to have your brother be your first."
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