Get ready for another run of mat dominance
Published: 11/4/2008 12:45 PM
Last Modified: 11/4/2008 12:45 PM
We interrupt this sterling football season in Stillwater for a little wrestling talk. John Smith is loading up and ready to take his wrestling program back to the top.
It may not be this year as Iowa and Iowa State are projected to be head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. But look out in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Smith is stockpiling a lot of talent to get the Cowboys back on the top rung of the medal stand and add to the program's tradition.
The recruiting haul Smith is bringing for next season simply might be one of the best collective groups of talent in the OSU coach's tenure. Monday's revelation that Catoosa High School senior standout 171-pounder Dallas Bailey has committed to OSU adds another jewel in a class full of diamonds.
The three-time state champ from Catoosa joins two other three-time state champs in Stillwater stud Chris Perry and Perry High School's Ladd Rupp. Smith also has the nation's top high school lower weight recruit in Jon Morrison out of Illinois committed for next season.
The young stallions already in Smith's OSU stable – former Union standout Jamal Parks, Jordan Oliver, Clayton Foster – added to the group coming in next fall has Smith ready to get the program's 35th national championship (and maybe a few more).
"When I drove to his house Sunday night to tell him I was committing (to OSU), I could tell how excited he was," Bailey said.
Smith has never hid from challenges, but he's also not one to gloat either. His young guns are still not accomplished like recent standouts Jake Rosholt, Johny Hendricks, Steve Mocco, Zack Esposito, Chris Pendleton and Coleman Scott.
Accolades are one thing. But champions are made through hard work and sacrifice and all-out effort in Smith's eyes. With Smith at the reins, those traits will be demanded. If the next generation does live up to its advanced billing, Smith and his program will start another run of dominance that was seen on the mats in Stillwater earlier this decade.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
