Oklahoma State University Athletics
Smith Previews Big 12 Championships
February 28, 2017 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrestling head coach John Smith met with the media Tuesday afternoon to preview this weekend's Big 12 Championships in Tulsa, Okla. See what he had to say below:
Â
On how important it is to have Big 12's back in state:
"It's nice. The conference allowing us to move it off campuses is something that I think was a good idea from the point of creating an atmosphere a little bit closer to nationals. When we went from four teams to 10 we were able to do that. For Tulsa, it's an important event that they're taking very seriously. We have high hopes that one day we'll see the NCAA Championships in Tulsa. I am just really excited about what they've done there to create a great atmosphere for the student-athletes."
Â
On how the team is health-wise heading into Big 12s:
"I don't know if you're ever healthy. I think you've probably heard me say that before. There's always something wrong with a student-athlete that has wrestled a full season. I think we're pretty good. I think we have everybody feeling good. I think Austin Schafer will wrestle. He doesn't have to wrestle to go to the NCAA championships because he's qualified already, so I feel confident enough that he's feeling good enough to compete. We're going in with no disadvantages, I'll say that."
Â
On the importance of other universities joining the Big 12:
"No question, it's extremely important. We've got pretty much nine going. Joseph Smith is the only one that doesn't have an automatic bid because he did not wrestle enough matches during the season, and you have to have a certain amount of matches to go. Now if we have some guys here go 0-2 it could be tough for some of them, but I don't see that. I see Joseph needing a good tournament and performing well. I think what we've seen in the conference in the short time is programs being elevated, and I think we'll continue to see that. Hopefully, the conference continues to grow with additional teams, and I think we'll see that really quickly. So those are things I appreciate with the Big 12 taking the lead in saying that we've as a conference have a great history in this sport and this conference, and we plan on keeping it. It gives us a lot of confidence and puts us in a good position recruiting wise. The Big 12 Championship is going to be tougher than what people think. I think the competition is heavy. There's no question we're in a position to win, but I think it's real important that we recognize that some of the competition in the Big 12, we could see in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. We're getting that kind of strength in our conference."
Â
On recruiting in Oklahoma and having recruits be able to have the Big 12 Championship in their backyard:
"I think being able to wrestle in Oklahoma is a great opportunity for them. They're excited. We have a couple of guys whose parents won't have to travel far, so that's nice. It's nice to have an event like the Big 12 Championships at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. We get a little feel of what is coming for us two weeks from now. Kansas City last year was a really great event, and it really prepared our conference to have a great tournament."
Â
Â
On how important it is to have Big 12's back in state:
"It's nice. The conference allowing us to move it off campuses is something that I think was a good idea from the point of creating an atmosphere a little bit closer to nationals. When we went from four teams to 10 we were able to do that. For Tulsa, it's an important event that they're taking very seriously. We have high hopes that one day we'll see the NCAA Championships in Tulsa. I am just really excited about what they've done there to create a great atmosphere for the student-athletes."
Â
On how the team is health-wise heading into Big 12s:
"I don't know if you're ever healthy. I think you've probably heard me say that before. There's always something wrong with a student-athlete that has wrestled a full season. I think we're pretty good. I think we have everybody feeling good. I think Austin Schafer will wrestle. He doesn't have to wrestle to go to the NCAA championships because he's qualified already, so I feel confident enough that he's feeling good enough to compete. We're going in with no disadvantages, I'll say that."
Â
On the importance of other universities joining the Big 12:
"No question, it's extremely important. We've got pretty much nine going. Joseph Smith is the only one that doesn't have an automatic bid because he did not wrestle enough matches during the season, and you have to have a certain amount of matches to go. Now if we have some guys here go 0-2 it could be tough for some of them, but I don't see that. I see Joseph needing a good tournament and performing well. I think what we've seen in the conference in the short time is programs being elevated, and I think we'll continue to see that. Hopefully, the conference continues to grow with additional teams, and I think we'll see that really quickly. So those are things I appreciate with the Big 12 taking the lead in saying that we've as a conference have a great history in this sport and this conference, and we plan on keeping it. It gives us a lot of confidence and puts us in a good position recruiting wise. The Big 12 Championship is going to be tougher than what people think. I think the competition is heavy. There's no question we're in a position to win, but I think it's real important that we recognize that some of the competition in the Big 12, we could see in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. We're getting that kind of strength in our conference."
Â
On recruiting in Oklahoma and having recruits be able to have the Big 12 Championship in their backyard:
"I think being able to wrestle in Oklahoma is a great opportunity for them. They're excited. We have a couple of guys whose parents won't have to travel far, so that's nice. It's nice to have an event like the Big 12 Championships at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. We get a little feel of what is coming for us two weeks from now. Kansas City last year was a really great event, and it really prepared our conference to have a great tournament."
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Cowboy Wrestling
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
