Oklahoma State University Athletics
Ricky Stewart Receives Medal of Courage from NWHOF Oklahoma Chapter
October 06, 2024 | Cowboy Wrestling
EDMOND, Okla. – Former Oklahoma State wrestler Ricky Stewart was honored with the Medal of Courage by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sunday.
As part of the Oklahoma Chapter's annual awards banquet, the Medal of Courage is given to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Sunday's award winners also included Danny Blackshear, Brady Flinton, Rance Stein, Mike London, Dean Robertson, Joey Miller and the Henning family.
A two-time national champion and just the second four-time All-American in program history, Ricky Stewart ended his career as one of the top Cowboy wrestlers ever.
Stewart's tenure began with a seventh-place finish as a freshman in 1979, sparking back-to-back national championships in the following two years. His shot for a third consecutive title came up short in 1982 as he placed third at the NCAA Championships, but he joined Dick Hutton as the only Cowboys to reach the podium four times, a feat that's only been accomplished by 13 others since. With a career record of 118-17, Stewart's win total ranks top 20 in program history and his name can be found in the top 10 lists for career falls and bonus-point wins.
In December 2020, Stewart was faced with a challenge larger than any wrestling match he competed in. A gas explosion at Stewart's home in Texarkana, Texas, burned over 70% of his body, forcing him to spend eight months in an induced coma and lose a leg and fingers on both hands. Stewart credited the sport of wrestling for teaching him to never give up and on his release from Parkland Hospital in March 2022, over 100 people on two floors lined up to give him a standing ovation as he left the building.
Originally from Duncan, Oklahoma, Stewart was also honored with the Gallagher Award in 2023, the top award given by the Oklahoma State wrestling program.
As part of the Oklahoma Chapter's annual awards banquet, the Medal of Courage is given to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Sunday's award winners also included Danny Blackshear, Brady Flinton, Rance Stein, Mike London, Dean Robertson, Joey Miller and the Henning family.
A two-time national champion and just the second four-time All-American in program history, Ricky Stewart ended his career as one of the top Cowboy wrestlers ever.
Stewart's tenure began with a seventh-place finish as a freshman in 1979, sparking back-to-back national championships in the following two years. His shot for a third consecutive title came up short in 1982 as he placed third at the NCAA Championships, but he joined Dick Hutton as the only Cowboys to reach the podium four times, a feat that's only been accomplished by 13 others since. With a career record of 118-17, Stewart's win total ranks top 20 in program history and his name can be found in the top 10 lists for career falls and bonus-point wins.
In December 2020, Stewart was faced with a challenge larger than any wrestling match he competed in. A gas explosion at Stewart's home in Texarkana, Texas, burned over 70% of his body, forcing him to spend eight months in an induced coma and lose a leg and fingers on both hands. Stewart credited the sport of wrestling for teaching him to never give up and on his release from Parkland Hospital in March 2022, over 100 people on two floors lined up to give him a standing ovation as he left the building.
Originally from Duncan, Oklahoma, Stewart was also honored with the Gallagher Award in 2023, the top award given by the Oklahoma State wrestling program.
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