Oklahoma State University Athletics
Post-Dual Quotes: OSU vs. South Dakota State
January 22, 2017 | Cowboy Wrestling
Head Coach John Smith
On Nolan Boyd's 100th win:
"He had a couple of opponents this weekend that allowed him to do the things that he did. We expected really lopsided scores in both of his matches and that's what he delivered. I thought he looked really good on his feet. That was probably the best I've seen him look on his feet in today's match. There's a lot of wrestling left."
On South Dakota State:
"They wrestle hard and they wrestle tough. We got tested in a few different matches. In several of them I felt like we punched back and took control of a couple matches and then we didn't at 133. As soon as that match got hard, we made a lot of mistakes and you saw the same thing at 197 as well. (Preston Weigel) had 10 seconds left in the match and getting ready to go on top and bottom, which is where his strength is and he's standing straight up on the whistle and gets double-legged. It was just silly stuff. We did grind out some matches though. I liked what I saw at 125 and I liked what I saw at 141. Anthony Collica's match was kind of a bloody match, it was tough and there was nothing easy for him. At 165 it was a good match as well. That kid is a good kid and I don't know why he's 20th - that guy is definitely a top-10 wrestler at that weight. For Kyle Crutchmer it wasn't a great match from trying to end the match quickly and getting caught on his back and he just wasn't able to recover. There were a lot of things from this match that were good, but also several that we've got to correct."
On Austin Schafer's breakout season:
"He looks strong and he looks very confident on the mat right now. Of course, he's had a couple of guys that really can't test him and it's just good to see him go out and compete hard. We did a better job today on nearfall points and turning people. He's definitely one that can do that and it's been exciting for me to see him have that success from the standpoint that we didn't know what to expect or if we were going to be able to win half of our matches of at heavyweight this season and now we've got a guy that looks like King Kong out there. It's a real bonus for us and the credit goes to him. He works hard."
Nolan Boyd – Senior, 184 pounds
Nolan on how it felt getting his 100th win:
"It felt great. I mean, with a little bit of pressure. There's always a negative thought you have to fight off, and I think that's what it is was; just fighting off the negative thought, being positive and taking these matches as opportunities."
On what the difference is for him being able to find that groove with technical falls and this weekend as a whole:
"I think it kind of hit me that I can waste some time, or I can cut loose and take advantage of every second, and I think I focused on that a little more."
On his senior season and what that brings:
"That can be added pressure. Added pressure can become negative thoughts or positive thoughts, so I'm trying not to waste a second of my time out there."
Austin Schafer – Senior, Heavyweight
On Coach Smith referring to him as "King Kong":
"Everything is just clicking for me. All the hard work throughout offseason and this year is paying off, and I'm getting some of that confidence I didn't have last year at 197. Not having to worry a lot about the little things like weight leaves room for improvements mentally, physically and technically on the mat. I think it's really starting to show out there on the mat."
On needing to prove himself as a heavyweight:
"Like I said in interviews at the beginning of the year, I heard these things about heavyweights being a weaker area this season, but I knew once I was going heavyweight that I would do well there. I had a feeling because I knew this was my last year, regardless of what weight I was at, I was going to push myself, work harder than I have before and leave nothing up to doubt at the end of the year."
On if he feels like he's earned respect in his position:
"I mean, there's a long season left, but I guess as far as the fans and everyone else, I believe I have."
On Nolan Boyd's 100th win:
"He had a couple of opponents this weekend that allowed him to do the things that he did. We expected really lopsided scores in both of his matches and that's what he delivered. I thought he looked really good on his feet. That was probably the best I've seen him look on his feet in today's match. There's a lot of wrestling left."
On South Dakota State:
"They wrestle hard and they wrestle tough. We got tested in a few different matches. In several of them I felt like we punched back and took control of a couple matches and then we didn't at 133. As soon as that match got hard, we made a lot of mistakes and you saw the same thing at 197 as well. (Preston Weigel) had 10 seconds left in the match and getting ready to go on top and bottom, which is where his strength is and he's standing straight up on the whistle and gets double-legged. It was just silly stuff. We did grind out some matches though. I liked what I saw at 125 and I liked what I saw at 141. Anthony Collica's match was kind of a bloody match, it was tough and there was nothing easy for him. At 165 it was a good match as well. That kid is a good kid and I don't know why he's 20th - that guy is definitely a top-10 wrestler at that weight. For Kyle Crutchmer it wasn't a great match from trying to end the match quickly and getting caught on his back and he just wasn't able to recover. There were a lot of things from this match that were good, but also several that we've got to correct."
On Austin Schafer's breakout season:
"He looks strong and he looks very confident on the mat right now. Of course, he's had a couple of guys that really can't test him and it's just good to see him go out and compete hard. We did a better job today on nearfall points and turning people. He's definitely one that can do that and it's been exciting for me to see him have that success from the standpoint that we didn't know what to expect or if we were going to be able to win half of our matches of at heavyweight this season and now we've got a guy that looks like King Kong out there. It's a real bonus for us and the credit goes to him. He works hard."
Nolan Boyd – Senior, 184 pounds
Nolan on how it felt getting his 100th win:
"It felt great. I mean, with a little bit of pressure. There's always a negative thought you have to fight off, and I think that's what it is was; just fighting off the negative thought, being positive and taking these matches as opportunities."
On what the difference is for him being able to find that groove with technical falls and this weekend as a whole:
"I think it kind of hit me that I can waste some time, or I can cut loose and take advantage of every second, and I think I focused on that a little more."
On his senior season and what that brings:
"That can be added pressure. Added pressure can become negative thoughts or positive thoughts, so I'm trying not to waste a second of my time out there."
Austin Schafer – Senior, Heavyweight
On Coach Smith referring to him as "King Kong":
"Everything is just clicking for me. All the hard work throughout offseason and this year is paying off, and I'm getting some of that confidence I didn't have last year at 197. Not having to worry a lot about the little things like weight leaves room for improvements mentally, physically and technically on the mat. I think it's really starting to show out there on the mat."
On needing to prove himself as a heavyweight:
"Like I said in interviews at the beginning of the year, I heard these things about heavyweights being a weaker area this season, but I knew once I was going heavyweight that I would do well there. I had a feeling because I knew this was my last year, regardless of what weight I was at, I was going to push myself, work harder than I have before and leave nothing up to doubt at the end of the year."
On if he feels like he's earned respect in his position:
"I mean, there's a long season left, but I guess as far as the fans and everyone else, I believe I have."
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