Oklahoma State University Athletics
John Smith, Cowboy Wrestlers Preview Drexel Dual
November 24, 2021 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith and members of the team met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the Cowboys' victory against No. 11 Minnesota and their looming matchup with Drexel. Here is some of what they had to say prior to their first home dual of the season, which will take place on Sunday, November 28, at 2 p.m. CT in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Head coach John Smith
On how to manage Thanksgiving week:
"Thanksgiving week is a little different. One, I think this is the first year, but maybe we did it last year too, where they have all week off. At one time I think we went to school up to Tuesday or Wednesday, so that seems a little different and there's more time on your hands. Time and food, that's not good for wrestling. We worked out a little bit more than we have in the past several weeks and a lot of it is because we have the time and we're out of school. Everything is focused around not gaining any weight during Thanksgiving."
Â
On the first home dual of the season:
"I think it is real important. Our student support has always been really good and so we miss that. Maybe some people have missed some opportunities to come in the past, so we want to create those opportunities for them. Maybe Drexel is one of them, but certainly next semester we have a full schedule and several opportunities to come. Once you come you're going to come back. We're really looking forward to wrestling at home after two competitive duals on the road."
Â
On Drexel:
"These are the matches sometimes you struggle with because you may take them for granted. There's not too  many bad Division 1 athletes in college wrestling, so just because someone is not ranked doesn't mean they're not good, they just haven't done enough right now. We think Carter Young is pretty good and he's not ranked. I'd hate to be wrestling him. Drexel has had a good team, they have a good coach and are in a good area in Philadelphia. Maybe we can keep them on the schedule for a few more years.
Â
On Carter Young's debut against Minnesota:
"He just wasn't ready. He kind of recognized that it's rough and tough and not comfortable. I think he learned a few things in his first match just from the standpoint of how important it is to finish single legs and when we get in on legs how much stronger your opponents feel. This was a fifth-year senior he wrestled, so even though he didn't have a great record he is still a strong kid that has a lot of skill and development behind him. You're going to feel that man strength, which he felt and I think it scared him a little bit. I will say he has fired back this week and has showed a lot of grit. He will definitely be wrestling this weekend."
Â
Â
Kaden Gfeller
On his match against Minnesota:
"I feel like I responded well. At the Stanford dual I let my weight get a little out of control and I hadn't wrestled in a while. That's just fully on my weight and not being responsible for it. Our flight got delayed and that's not an excuse, but I showed up a little heavier than anticipated and I had to cut a lot of weight that last day. The following week I handled my weight a lot better and felt better. That one-hour weigh in is a big deal in college wrestling to weigh in and then wrestle an hour later. I felt great at the Minnesota dual and I'm ready to go from here on out."
Â
On how the tough love he receives from Smith have affected him:
"It's good. He's done so much for me through the years I've been here. I've grown up a lot these past couple years and I think it will show this year. I've grown up a lot outside of wrestling through making better choices and strengthening my relationship with Jesus Christ. I think all that stuff will show. That first year I wrestled my freshman year, I wasn't living my life right and it showed up at NCAAs going 0-2 as a six seed and I think that was a big wake up call. The past couple years I've been dealing with injuries, like an ankle surgery, but I'm finally healthy, living my life right and I think it's going to show and pay off."
Â
On his relationship with Boo Lewallen:
"He's been an influence on my life ever since I started wrestling. We wrestled at the same club growing up. He talks to me every day almost whether he calls me or texts me and says you can never get too high or too low. I was very disappointed after that Stanford performance because I know that guy is not that much better than me, but I texted him and it encouraged me a lot. He helps me with the things that helped him throughout his years here and the things that he did last year that helped him and I take those and run with them."
Â
Dustin Plott
On the first home dual of the season:
"I'm really excited. I've actually been really excited even though our past couple of away duals have had big crowds. Last year that wasn't something I didn't really get to experience, so that definitely adds some excitement for this weekend."
Â
On his match with No. 12 Mickey O'Malley
"I'm preparing the same as every other week. I don't really know what I'm expecting, I'm just going to go wrestle and do my thing."
Â
Head coach John Smith
On how to manage Thanksgiving week:
"Thanksgiving week is a little different. One, I think this is the first year, but maybe we did it last year too, where they have all week off. At one time I think we went to school up to Tuesday or Wednesday, so that seems a little different and there's more time on your hands. Time and food, that's not good for wrestling. We worked out a little bit more than we have in the past several weeks and a lot of it is because we have the time and we're out of school. Everything is focused around not gaining any weight during Thanksgiving."
Â
On the first home dual of the season:
"I think it is real important. Our student support has always been really good and so we miss that. Maybe some people have missed some opportunities to come in the past, so we want to create those opportunities for them. Maybe Drexel is one of them, but certainly next semester we have a full schedule and several opportunities to come. Once you come you're going to come back. We're really looking forward to wrestling at home after two competitive duals on the road."
Â
On Drexel:
"These are the matches sometimes you struggle with because you may take them for granted. There's not too  many bad Division 1 athletes in college wrestling, so just because someone is not ranked doesn't mean they're not good, they just haven't done enough right now. We think Carter Young is pretty good and he's not ranked. I'd hate to be wrestling him. Drexel has had a good team, they have a good coach and are in a good area in Philadelphia. Maybe we can keep them on the schedule for a few more years.
Â
On Carter Young's debut against Minnesota:
"He just wasn't ready. He kind of recognized that it's rough and tough and not comfortable. I think he learned a few things in his first match just from the standpoint of how important it is to finish single legs and when we get in on legs how much stronger your opponents feel. This was a fifth-year senior he wrestled, so even though he didn't have a great record he is still a strong kid that has a lot of skill and development behind him. You're going to feel that man strength, which he felt and I think it scared him a little bit. I will say he has fired back this week and has showed a lot of grit. He will definitely be wrestling this weekend."
Â
Â
Kaden Gfeller
On his match against Minnesota:
"I feel like I responded well. At the Stanford dual I let my weight get a little out of control and I hadn't wrestled in a while. That's just fully on my weight and not being responsible for it. Our flight got delayed and that's not an excuse, but I showed up a little heavier than anticipated and I had to cut a lot of weight that last day. The following week I handled my weight a lot better and felt better. That one-hour weigh in is a big deal in college wrestling to weigh in and then wrestle an hour later. I felt great at the Minnesota dual and I'm ready to go from here on out."
Â
On how the tough love he receives from Smith have affected him:
"It's good. He's done so much for me through the years I've been here. I've grown up a lot these past couple years and I think it will show this year. I've grown up a lot outside of wrestling through making better choices and strengthening my relationship with Jesus Christ. I think all that stuff will show. That first year I wrestled my freshman year, I wasn't living my life right and it showed up at NCAAs going 0-2 as a six seed and I think that was a big wake up call. The past couple years I've been dealing with injuries, like an ankle surgery, but I'm finally healthy, living my life right and I think it's going to show and pay off."
Â
On his relationship with Boo Lewallen:
"He's been an influence on my life ever since I started wrestling. We wrestled at the same club growing up. He talks to me every day almost whether he calls me or texts me and says you can never get too high or too low. I was very disappointed after that Stanford performance because I know that guy is not that much better than me, but I texted him and it encouraged me a lot. He helps me with the things that helped him throughout his years here and the things that he did last year that helped him and I take those and run with them."
Â
Dustin Plott
On the first home dual of the season:
"I'm really excited. I've actually been really excited even though our past couple of away duals have had big crowds. Last year that wasn't something I didn't really get to experience, so that definitely adds some excitement for this weekend."
Â
On his match with No. 12 Mickey O'Malley
"I'm preparing the same as every other week. I don't really know what I'm expecting, I'm just going to go wrestle and do my thing."
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Cowboy Wrestling
/ Cowboy Wrestling
/ Cowboy Wrestling
/ Cowboy Wrestling
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
