Tulsa World: Parks proud to wear orange

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Parks proud to wear orange

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 11/9/2008 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2008 2:53 AM

Jamal Parks had enough of the open tournament circuit.

The Oklahoma State redshirt freshman wrestler whipped up on the competition last year in compiling a 16-1 record in open tournaments. The Union High School graduate admitted getting bored at times. Wrestling in open tournaments is not the same as wrestling in regular-season duals and tournaments for the tradition-rich OSU program.

"I was unmotivated at times and I had to kick myself in the butt (to get motivated)," Parks said. "Practicing all the time without getting to experience a lot of competition makes it a little hard to give it your all."

Motivation will not be a problem this season for Parks. Only starters get to wear the orange singlet in competition for the Cowboys. Unlike last season when he wore a black singlet in competition, Parks will have the orange on this season.

OSU coach John Smith typically tempers his enthusiasm about first-time starters. But Smith is quietly anticipating what kind of success the former three-time Union state champion can have on the college level. Smith said there is a lot of value in taking a kid from point A to point Z in his first season. The OSU coach lists Parks' point Z as a national title at 141 pounds.

"Now, that's a tall order for him. He is so far from that, it's unbelievable," Smith said. "Now, is there some capability there and ability to perform at that level? Absolutely. I believe that."

Success easily could have some struggles mixed in. Parks, though, will give it his all each and every time on the mat. It was something he learned daily last season working out in practice with Coleman Scott, who won the national title at 133 pounds.

"I can't wait for this year and wearing the orange singlet," Parks said. "Watching Coleman all last year helped me. Now, I can't wait to win a national title."

OSU PROJECTED LINEUP

125: Obe Blanc, Sr. Transfer from Lock Haven University placed sixth in 2007 NCAA Championship

133: Tyler Shinn, Jr. Moves up from 125, where he qualified for NCAA past two years 141: Jamal Parks, R-Fr. Sky is the limit for the former Union High School standout

149: Quinten Fuentes, So.; or Luke Silver, R-Fr. Fuentes struggled as starter last year; Silver offers a lot of potential

157: Newly McSpadden, Sr. Two-time NCAA qualifier seeks more consistency

165: Brandon Mason, Sr. Starter past three years at 174 moves down a weight class

174: Cody Hill, So. Marlow product drops down from 184, where he posted an 11-6 mark last season

184: Jared Shelton, Sr.; or Chris McNeil, R-Fr. Shelton drops down from 197, while McNeil was impressive in open tourneys last year

197: Clayton Foster, So. Went 22-11 last year and won bronze medal last summer at FILA Junior World Championships

285: Jared Rosholt, Jr. Enters season ranked No. 1 heavyweight in college wrestling

Coach: John Smith, 18th year, 266-35-4 record

OSU SCHEDULE

Nov. 22: Old Dominion, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29: Lehigh (Northeast Duals), 8:15 a.m.
Nov. 29: Virginia (Northeast Duals), 10:15 a.m.
Nov. 29: Appalachian State (Northeast Duals), 2:15 p.m.
Nov. 29: American (Northeast Duals), 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 5: Northern Colorado, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7: at Oklahoma, 2 p.m.
Dec. 16: at Cal Poly, 9 p.m.
Dec. 18: Reno Tournament of Champions, All Day
Jan. 1: at Minnesota, 2 p.m.
Jan. 4: UC Davis, 2 p.m.
Jan. 9-10: Virginia Duals, All Day
Jan. 18: Iowa, 2 p.m.
Jan. 25: at Iowa State, 1 p.m.
Jan. 25: at Northern Iowa, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5: at Nebraska, 7 p.m.
Feb. 7: Missouri, 7 p.m.
Feb. 15: Binghamton, 2 p.m.
Feb. 15: Wyoming, 4 p.m.
Feb. 22: Oklahoma, 2 p.m.
March 7: Big 12 Championship at Lincoln, Neb., All Day
March 19-21: NCAA Championship at St. Louis, All Day

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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