Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Previews NCAA Championships
March 13, 2015 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER-- Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith, returning NCCA champion Alex Dieringer and All-American Austin Marsden met with members of the media on Friday to preview the NCAA Championships, set for March 19-21 in St. Louis, Mo. Their comments are below:
On NCAAs in St. Louis
"It's quite interesting on some of the seeds and how they turned out. I think we can get the problems fixed in the future because of this scenario. It is what it is, and I didn't see it doing too much damage to us, but some of them I didn't quite understand. As days get a little closer to the championships we'll find out the reasons why. It has been a pretty good year and at the Big 12 tournament, I thought we wrestled as good as we had all year long. That is usually a good sign that you have a good chance to have your best performance. We know that it is going to take a lot of for our team to have a good tournament. I think we have three guys projected to be All-Americans and that doesn't put you in any type of race so we will need some surprises. We need some guys to follow up last week's performance, and if that happens it's good chance we are going to have a good tournament."
On Josh Kindig's status
"I don't know if you are every fully healthy. Can he wrestle? He will wrestle. Can he finish matches? He will finish matches. I'm sure there is going to be a good portion of the field not completely healthy, I'm not sure if you ever are. He's a lot better off then what he was the night of the dual meet against Penn State, I can tell you that."
On Alex Dieringer
"With Alex, his preparation all year long has been really consistent. Not much has changed in his workouts and I think as he prepares these last few days going into the national championships, we have to make sure we stay focused on what he does well, and that is he's very aggressive and he doesn't hold back. He is about scoring points. It's really that simple. You don't make it more than what it is. He's won a lot and he has backed it up a lot. A great tournament from him will put him back on the top."
On his expectations for the tournament
"Well, I think we will have to havesix or seven All-Americans [to win it]. Several finalists. We are kind of working from behind with that. Several guys that didn't get seeds. Several guys with high seeds. You are hitting good people right away. That makes it tough for bonus points and things like that. These tournaments are won on bonus points with guys in position to score them. I don't think we are in position to score a lot of bonus points. I think we are in a position where we better scrap guys and fight to win tough victories. Not many times that we haven't talked about winning a title. I think this year it's ok as long as we have the performance where we can follow it up in a year from now and be very competitive. The way you can do that is by having All-Americans, guys breaking through, guys doing things they say you can't do. We've proven that several years and we need to prove that this year."
Alex Dieringer, 165 pounds
On preparing for NCAAs
"I'm really excited, whenever March hits I get really amped for it. Last year I won it so I'm coming back with the same mindset going in and attacking."
On winning another title
"Coach has always told me that the second one is always harder. That made me push harder and work a lot harder in the room. You work six months for one tournament. That's another thing that I am really excited for. It's been a long season and I'm excited for the journey. I feel good about my chances, but everyone is going to be a different wrestler at nationals. I have to be prepared and be ready and if I do that I will be just fine."
On the goals of the team
"We're a young team this year andthe top goal is to be national champions. We have a good enough team to do it. We have to perform andif we perform to our ability I think we can."
Austin Marsden, 285 pounds
On preparing for NCAAs
"I'm also excited too. Training all year for these next few days. Last year I got a taste of what it is like and now I want it more. I'm striving for it."
On his expectations for NCAAs
"Now I know what I need to do and what needs to be done. Most of last year I focused on getting on the podium now I'm focusing on getting on top of the podium. I have a different mindset for what I want to do and compete."
On the goals of the team
"I agree with that. Our team is very young. I also think that we are very hungry and we want to do well at nationals, and we all want to win and get that team title. I think we can do it and I think it is very possible."
