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Izzak Olejnik’s Journey to Stardom in Stillwater
December 08, 2023 | Cowboy Wrestling
Izzak Olejnik arrived in Stillwater this summer with plans to insert himself into a long line of great Cowboy wrestlers after transferring to Oklahoma State from Northern Illinois.
Olejnik is originally from Bakersfield, Calif., and spent the past five years in DeKalb, Ill., competing for Northern Illinois. Despite the change of scenery and being a long way from Bakersfield, Olejnik has found a new home and family in Stillwater.
"It's been a fun journey, being able to start off somewhere, then finish at a place like Oklahoma State," Olejnik said. "It's not done yet, but just being able to overcome some of the things I have… to cement myself and gradually get better has been fun."
Olejnik tallied many accolades throughout his five years with the Huskies, compiling a 97-30 career record and qualifying for the NCAA Championships in four consecutive seasons. He also racked up a number of Mid-American Conference awards, including back-to-back MAC championships.
His final season with the Huskies was his best, finally making the jump to finish eighth at the NCAA Championships and becoming NIU's ninth All-American in program history. He also won his second MAC championship and was named the MAC Championship's Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Olejnik attributes much of his success to his work ethic and motivation, dating back to his days as a young kid. His All-American finish in 2023 not only validated that lifelong hard work, but inspired him to reach new heights in his final season as a collegiate wrestler, a passion that ultimately led him to Stillwater and Oklahoma State.
"I always look back where I came from and being undersized, using that as an advantage," Olejnik said. "Saying this guy might be bigger, stronger than me, but he definitely doesn't work as hard as me."
Olejnik always wanted to wrestle on the sport's biggest stage from a very young age, growing up in a family that instilled a drive and competitive edge in him. Izzak's father, Matt, was a strong wrestler himself, winning a state championship in California as a high schooler. He then competed in college at San Jose State and Cal State Bakersfield.
"My dad got me into this at a really young age. I've been doing this a long time, and with this being my last year, I have just been super reflective over the things I've been able to do in this sport, as well as the things I plan on doing."
All of that hard work and dedication put Olejnik on a path to Stillwater, where he has excelled early in his Cowboy career.
After picking up his first victory as a Cowboy in the team's season opener against Bucknell, Olejnik traveled to State College, Pa., for one of collegiate wrestling's biggest showcases, the NWCA All-Star Classic.
There, he faced a common foe in fourth-ranked Dean Hamiti of Wisconsin. The two had previously battled on three separate occasions, with Hamiti taking each of the three bouts. Olejnik would not be denied this time, however, and defeated his longtime opponent with a commanding 8-2 decision. Although the match was an exhibition event, the big victory was just another affirmation of Olejnik's hard work and constant drive to improve.
After making a statement at the All-Star Classic, the newcomer looked to tackle his next task at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, wrestling's toughest regular season tournament.
"It's big to be able to go out and wrestle these guys this early," Olejnik said prior to the tournament. "It's good to feel them out, and regardless of if I win or lose, I just want to give it all I have and build off of it."
Olejnik continued his blistering start as a Cowboy in Las Vegas, going a perfect 6-0 at the tournament and claiming first-place at 165 pounds. He defeated a pair of top-10 opponents and surpassed 100 career wins during the weekend.
His stellar weekend proved once again that he belongs with the sport's top wrestlers. While Olejnik has announced himself to the wrestling world over the past few weeks, head coach John Smith has always seen his competitive spirit and will to win.
"Izzak has matured greatly already," coach Smith said. "You've heard me say that he has a real purpose in what he's doing every day. He's very serious about his practices, workouts and training. The kid is super well-disciplined, as well as being a fierce competitor. I think he's enjoyed his experience here so far."
As a kid from California who has spent most of his life far away from Stillwater, Olejnik does not take for granted the opportunity to end his collegiate wrestling career for a storied program such as Oklahoma State and hopes to make this final year something special.
"Not every day do you get the opportunity to wrestle at a place like Oklahoma State. Knowing that it's an honor to do that and wake up having my life, I'm doing everything I can do, day in and day out, to accomplish my goals here. That's truly what drives me."
Olejnik is originally from Bakersfield, Calif., and spent the past five years in DeKalb, Ill., competing for Northern Illinois. Despite the change of scenery and being a long way from Bakersfield, Olejnik has found a new home and family in Stillwater.
"It's been a fun journey, being able to start off somewhere, then finish at a place like Oklahoma State," Olejnik said. "It's not done yet, but just being able to overcome some of the things I have… to cement myself and gradually get better has been fun."
Olejnik tallied many accolades throughout his five years with the Huskies, compiling a 97-30 career record and qualifying for the NCAA Championships in four consecutive seasons. He also racked up a number of Mid-American Conference awards, including back-to-back MAC championships.
His final season with the Huskies was his best, finally making the jump to finish eighth at the NCAA Championships and becoming NIU's ninth All-American in program history. He also won his second MAC championship and was named the MAC Championship's Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Olejnik attributes much of his success to his work ethic and motivation, dating back to his days as a young kid. His All-American finish in 2023 not only validated that lifelong hard work, but inspired him to reach new heights in his final season as a collegiate wrestler, a passion that ultimately led him to Stillwater and Oklahoma State.
"I always look back where I came from and being undersized, using that as an advantage," Olejnik said. "Saying this guy might be bigger, stronger than me, but he definitely doesn't work as hard as me."
Olejnik always wanted to wrestle on the sport's biggest stage from a very young age, growing up in a family that instilled a drive and competitive edge in him. Izzak's father, Matt, was a strong wrestler himself, winning a state championship in California as a high schooler. He then competed in college at San Jose State and Cal State Bakersfield.
"My dad got me into this at a really young age. I've been doing this a long time, and with this being my last year, I have just been super reflective over the things I've been able to do in this sport, as well as the things I plan on doing."
All of that hard work and dedication put Olejnik on a path to Stillwater, where he has excelled early in his Cowboy career.
After picking up his first victory as a Cowboy in the team's season opener against Bucknell, Olejnik traveled to State College, Pa., for one of collegiate wrestling's biggest showcases, the NWCA All-Star Classic.
There, he faced a common foe in fourth-ranked Dean Hamiti of Wisconsin. The two had previously battled on three separate occasions, with Hamiti taking each of the three bouts. Olejnik would not be denied this time, however, and defeated his longtime opponent with a commanding 8-2 decision. Although the match was an exhibition event, the big victory was just another affirmation of Olejnik's hard work and constant drive to improve.
After making a statement at the All-Star Classic, the newcomer looked to tackle his next task at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, wrestling's toughest regular season tournament.
"It's big to be able to go out and wrestle these guys this early," Olejnik said prior to the tournament. "It's good to feel them out, and regardless of if I win or lose, I just want to give it all I have and build off of it."
Olejnik continued his blistering start as a Cowboy in Las Vegas, going a perfect 6-0 at the tournament and claiming first-place at 165 pounds. He defeated a pair of top-10 opponents and surpassed 100 career wins during the weekend.
His stellar weekend proved once again that he belongs with the sport's top wrestlers. While Olejnik has announced himself to the wrestling world over the past few weeks, head coach John Smith has always seen his competitive spirit and will to win.
"Izzak has matured greatly already," coach Smith said. "You've heard me say that he has a real purpose in what he's doing every day. He's very serious about his practices, workouts and training. The kid is super well-disciplined, as well as being a fierce competitor. I think he's enjoyed his experience here so far."
As a kid from California who has spent most of his life far away from Stillwater, Olejnik does not take for granted the opportunity to end his collegiate wrestling career for a storied program such as Oklahoma State and hopes to make this final year something special.
"Not every day do you get the opportunity to wrestle at a place like Oklahoma State. Knowing that it's an honor to do that and wake up having my life, I'm doing everything I can do, day in and day out, to accomplish my goals here. That's truly what drives me."
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