Oklahoma State University Athletics
John Smith Named Greatest American Wrestler of All Time
January 06, 2022 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith has earned the title of Greatest American Wrestler of All Time, according to FloWrestling.
A six-time world champion that included Olympic gold medals in 1988 and 1992, Smith's accomplishments are second to none as he has won at every level of wrestling. In brief, Smith compiled a 105-5 record as a high schooler at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma, before beginning his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. As a Cowboy, he put together a 152-8 record that included a pair of NCAA individual championships in 1987 and 1988. He was a three-time All-America selection in 1985, 1987 and 1988. On the international stage, Smith rolled to a 100-5 career record that included his six consecutive world titles from 1987 to 1992, two Pan American Games gold medals (1987, 91) and two Goodwill Games gold medals (1986, 90).
His list of awards and honors received befits someone who earned the distinction of being the best wrestler on the planet. Smith was honored as the first wrestler to ever claim the James. E. Sullivan award as America's outstanding amateur athlete when he won the award in 1990. He was the first American ever chosen as the Master of Technique and Wrestler of the Year by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) in 1990. In 1992, he was presented with the Amateur Athletic Foundation's World Trophy, becoming the first North American wrestler to earn the honor. Smith was also the 1991 selection as FILA's Outstanding wrestler of the Year after earning Man of the Year honors from Amateur Wrestling News in 1988, Athlete of the Year recognition from USA Wrestling in 1989 and Sportsman of the Year honors from the U.S. Olympic committee in 1990.
The FloWrestling countdown of the Top 100 Greatest American Wrestlers of All Time, headlined by Smith, also included nine other former Cowboy wrestlers with Kenny Monday being the highest-ranked Cowboy behind Smith at No. 11.
Cowboys in FloWrestling's Top 100
1. John Smith
11. Kenny Monday
36. Kendall Cross
59. Pat Smith
61. Jack Van Bebber
71. Doug Blubaugh
77. Fred Fozzard
86. Bobby Douglas
93. Daniel Cormier
99. Eric Guerrero
A six-time world champion that included Olympic gold medals in 1988 and 1992, Smith's accomplishments are second to none as he has won at every level of wrestling. In brief, Smith compiled a 105-5 record as a high schooler at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma, before beginning his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. As a Cowboy, he put together a 152-8 record that included a pair of NCAA individual championships in 1987 and 1988. He was a three-time All-America selection in 1985, 1987 and 1988. On the international stage, Smith rolled to a 100-5 career record that included his six consecutive world titles from 1987 to 1992, two Pan American Games gold medals (1987, 91) and two Goodwill Games gold medals (1986, 90).
His list of awards and honors received befits someone who earned the distinction of being the best wrestler on the planet. Smith was honored as the first wrestler to ever claim the James. E. Sullivan award as America's outstanding amateur athlete when he won the award in 1990. He was the first American ever chosen as the Master of Technique and Wrestler of the Year by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) in 1990. In 1992, he was presented with the Amateur Athletic Foundation's World Trophy, becoming the first North American wrestler to earn the honor. Smith was also the 1991 selection as FILA's Outstanding wrestler of the Year after earning Man of the Year honors from Amateur Wrestling News in 1988, Athlete of the Year recognition from USA Wrestling in 1989 and Sportsman of the Year honors from the U.S. Olympic committee in 1990.
The FloWrestling countdown of the Top 100 Greatest American Wrestlers of All Time, headlined by Smith, also included nine other former Cowboy wrestlers with Kenny Monday being the highest-ranked Cowboy behind Smith at No. 11.
Cowboys in FloWrestling's Top 100
1. John Smith
11. Kenny Monday
36. Kendall Cross
59. Pat Smith
61. Jack Van Bebber
71. Doug Blubaugh
77. Fred Fozzard
86. Bobby Douglas
93. Daniel Cormier
99. Eric Guerrero
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