Dan Gable Commentary
Early-season losses by OSU has wrestling buzzing
Q At the recent NWCA All-Star Classic, four defending champions lost, including three Oklahoma State wrestlers on their home mat. What does this say about this year’s college wrestling season in a year that the Cowboys are supposed to be a prohibitive favorite to win a fourth straight NCAA title? Are preseason rankings worthless?
A The rankings are not worthless. They are exciting, lead to conversations and it’s what wrestling needs to get people talking. Rankings may not be as solid as we have had in the past but Oklahoma State seemed to be a solid No. 1.
I had already noticed in the (Kaufman-Brand Open) before the All-Star meet in Omaha that things were happening that were throwing those rankings out the window or at least adjusting them. But I also felt that the All-Star meet would solidify Ok
lahoma State as No. 1 because they were heavily favored in Stillwater. I know that John Smith does not emphasize the preseason hard wrestling, but you still have a certain amount of pride. And considering most of the fans were for Oklahoma State, I thought that would have brought out the best in them and make them want to win even more there. You have to wrestle. If the (Zack) Esposito match was any indication of who is going to come through (on top) again at season’s end, then we don’t know who is going to come through. And that idea was solidified when (Johny) Hendricks got out there and lost and then (Steve) Mocco lost the heavyweight match. Even though (Jake) Rosholt dominated his match, there were lapses in his match. It’s going to take another great coaching effort by John Smith.
Q Most of the matches in Stillwater were low-scoring. Why do so many great wrestlers in these big national events, like the NCAA finals, shut down their offenses against other great wrestlers?
A Because it’s “the” match and in “the” match, the mind takes over more than it would compared to the more exciting quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. What your mind does is freeze up a little and doesn’t allow you to wrestle to your full potential. You go back to just trying to win, which is not enough or not automatic. You have to be what you are capable of being, which usually makes you dominant in the first place.
As much as I prepared to dominate my opponents, I shut down at times during certain matches in my career. In the Owings match, when I beat him, or in the (1971) world finals, I was up and didn’t have to do anything because the other guy quit. I just decided to quit too and we both just stood there.
But that’s not right because it makes you more vulnerable. But no matter how much you are prepared to get in that match for the marbles, your mind is thinking too much.
Q What or who do wrestlers hear at those moments? Is it the coach in their corner or someone or something else?
A You have a demon inside you or an inner voice that is taking control and overrides what people are saying to you on the side.
Q Does that voice tell you to be careful?
A Yes, or it gets you excited and makes you think you are going to win this thing … or not. There are too many things in high-pressure situations that take place instead of the best thing that needs to take place, which is natural talent and movement and just getting after it.
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