Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Wrestling Previews Minnesota
November 22, 2016 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – The top-ranked Oklahoma State wrestling team met with the media Tuesday afternoon at Gallagher-Iba Arena to preview this Sunday's dual against No. 16 Minnesota. See what head coach John Smith and 125-pound redshirt freshman Nick Piccininni said about the matchup below.
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Head Coach John Smith
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On how the team has spent the last couple of weeks without a dual:
"We've done a lot of training and focused on some of our skill sets. There is a little bit of concern on my part of making sure we keep guys weight under control. I don't know if we did a good job of making that happen, but we will make weight for the first time in two weeks. That's always a concern early in the season."
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On junior Jacobe Smith winning Big 12 Co-Wrestler of the Week:
"He wrestled some good guys up there at Lindenwood. He's showing that in practice daily. He really brings his game and very seldom has a poor workout. Of course, he's got some good guys to train with right now with (Kyle) Crutchmer and (Jordan) Rogers. Those guys give him a good feel and push him. I would say I was a little surprised how well he did. I thought he would take a little bit of time in adjusting, but it looks like he's wrestling well."
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On wrestling Big Ten teams:
"Those are big matches for us. I think the Big 12 this year will definitely show strength too. I think we've got a good conference that will surprise some people…Minnesota is a historical match for us. We've wrestled them for a number of years. I don't think you take anything for granted. I think you've got to realize that I haven't weighed in or wrestled in two weeks and do everything right. We've got to be well-prepared when we go up there. I'm sure we'll have a battle on our hands when we get there."
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On wrestling on Thanksgiving weekend:
"Well, you normally don't get to eat. It's not one of those holidays that you get to experience. This year, it won't be much of one, especially for the starters."
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Nick Piccininni – RFr., 125 pounds
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On his first true road dual:
"It'll be my first time wrestling on that big stage and being in that spotlight, so it's something to look forward to and it should be exciting."
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On if any of the upperclassmen have given him any advice heading into the dual:
"No, nothing crazy. Just to prepare for this match like it's any other match."
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On how he handled the two weeks in between duals:
"We've been working out hard. We're prepared. Coach prepares us every single day, so there aren't really any worries about having that two week break."
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Head Coach John Smith
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On how the team has spent the last couple of weeks without a dual:
"We've done a lot of training and focused on some of our skill sets. There is a little bit of concern on my part of making sure we keep guys weight under control. I don't know if we did a good job of making that happen, but we will make weight for the first time in two weeks. That's always a concern early in the season."
Â
On junior Jacobe Smith winning Big 12 Co-Wrestler of the Week:
"He wrestled some good guys up there at Lindenwood. He's showing that in practice daily. He really brings his game and very seldom has a poor workout. Of course, he's got some good guys to train with right now with (Kyle) Crutchmer and (Jordan) Rogers. Those guys give him a good feel and push him. I would say I was a little surprised how well he did. I thought he would take a little bit of time in adjusting, but it looks like he's wrestling well."
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On wrestling Big Ten teams:
"Those are big matches for us. I think the Big 12 this year will definitely show strength too. I think we've got a good conference that will surprise some people…Minnesota is a historical match for us. We've wrestled them for a number of years. I don't think you take anything for granted. I think you've got to realize that I haven't weighed in or wrestled in two weeks and do everything right. We've got to be well-prepared when we go up there. I'm sure we'll have a battle on our hands when we get there."
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On wrestling on Thanksgiving weekend:
"Well, you normally don't get to eat. It's not one of those holidays that you get to experience. This year, it won't be much of one, especially for the starters."
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Nick Piccininni – RFr., 125 pounds
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On his first true road dual:
"It'll be my first time wrestling on that big stage and being in that spotlight, so it's something to look forward to and it should be exciting."
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On if any of the upperclassmen have given him any advice heading into the dual:
"No, nothing crazy. Just to prepare for this match like it's any other match."
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On how he handled the two weeks in between duals:
"We've been working out hard. We're prepared. Coach prepares us every single day, so there aren't really any worries about having that two week break."
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