Oklahoma State’s John Smith Earns 300th Career Dual Meet Win

Smith improves to 300-44-5 in 20-year career with Cowboys after 40-4 win over Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. – Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith became the first coach in OSU’s storied history to hit the 300-win mark for his career after leading the Cowboys to a 40-4 win over No. 24 Arizona State at Wells Fargo Arena Sunday. The win improved Smith’s career record to 300-44-5 in his 20 years at the helm of his alma mater.

With the win, OSU improved to 4-0 on the year. Arizona State dipped to 3-2 on the season. Sunday’s win improved the Cowboys to 3-0 against opponents ranked in the top 25 this year.

The Sun Devils never had a chance in the dual, as they forfeited the 149 and 157-pound weight classes, resulting in a 12-0 Cowboy lead before the dual even started.

Including the two wins by forfeit, the Cowboys won nine of the 10 bouts and bagged 22 takedowns in the dual to Arizona State’s three. Returning Oklahoma State All-Americans Clayton Foster (16-3 major decision over Luke Macciaroli) and Jordan Oliver (4:39 pin over David Prado) were both bonus-point winners, as was Luke Silver, who dominated Kalin Goodsite before finishing a 3:11 pin.

In addition to the bonus-point wins, other highlights were provided by freshman heavyweight Blake Rosholt, who toppled No. 20 Levi Cooper by a 4-3 score; freshman 165-pounder Dallas Bailey, who won a wild 6-5 decision over Te Edwards and junior 174-pounder Mike Benefiel, who was a 6-3 winner over Eric Starks.

“Another good win at heavyweight for Blake Rosholt, but I do think he shut it down a little bit when he had the lead,” Smith said.

“I loved Dallas Bailey’s match,” Smith said. “He, Mike Benefiel and Jordan Oliver all wrestled from start to finish. I really liked those three matches. Jordan put on a clinic by pushing hard with takedowns and I liked that Dallas Bailey and Mike Benefiel took the action to and scored the key points against pretty good wrestlers.”

The Cowboys return to action when they compete at the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Jan. 8-9. Oklahoma State will not know who it will face until seedings for the event are released later this week.

No. 2 Oklahoma State 40, No. 24 Arizona State 4
Dual started at 184 pounds
184: No. 11 Chris Perry (OSU) dec. Jake Meredith (ASU); 5-4
197: No. 5 Clayton Foster (OSU) MD Luke Macciaroli (ASU); 16-3
285: Blake Rosholt (OSU) dec. No. 20 Levi Cooper; 4-3
125: No. 3 Anthony Robles (ASU) MD No. 7 Jon Morrison (OSU); 11-0
133: No. 1 Jordan Oliver (OSU) fall David Prado (ASU); 4:39
141: Luke Silver (OSU) fall Kalin Goodsite (ASU); 3:11
149: No. 8 Jamal Parks (OSU) won by forfeit
157: Neil Erisman won by forfeit
165: No. 15 Dallas Bailey (OSU) dec. Te Edwards (ASU); 6-5
174: No. 16 Mike Benefiel (OSU) dec. Eric Starks (ASU); 6-3