In Stillwater, things are on the up and up. The #9 Oklahoma State Cowboys have earned their first Top 10 ranking of the season. 

Considering the adversity the team has faced this early in the year, it has been a solid job by coach John Smith and company to keep things rolling. Smith has enjoyed seeing the progression of his young wrestlers, and he gives a brief update on injuries.  

Injury Update

It is no secret Oklahoma State has already been riddled with injuries just two short months into this season. Most notably, #3 Daton Fix at 133 pounds, but also #13 197-pounder Luke Surber. Seventh-ranked Tagen Jamison, Oklahoma State’s breakout freshman at 141 pounds, suffered an apparent right arm injury Sunday against  Oklahoma. He continued the match and went on to post a 6-3 victory against Kaden Smith. 

Despite missing Fix and Surber, the Cowboys wrestled well against Lehigh and Oklahoma. Still, having those two back in the lineup is important, especially this year, for Smith has called it one of the best schedules the Cowboys have had in some time. As for a probable return? It seems like there is no rush to get either back earlier than necessary. 

“I’m not too worried about it in December,” Smith said. “Right now, let’s get it healed up, whatever time we need. I think, actually, Luke will probably travel with us to Wyoming, I think he’s not too far off. But, we’ve got time, that’s the nice thing, we’re not pressing. It’s kind of a little bit more injury than I’d hoped for.”

Smith also mentioned that Jamison will be “fine” after suffering his injury. If the aforementioned Cowboys are out next week against Wyoming, there likely won’t be any changes at 133 and 197. Reece Witcraft owns the 133 spot right now and Kyle Haas is currently at 197 pounds. 

At 141, if Jamison can’t go, considering Smith has been freshman-heavy this year, Cael Hughes could see his first dual meet in an orange singlet. 

Smith Calls It Rewarding To Coach Young Squad

This is one of Smith’s younger squads in recent memory. But, as assistant coach Coleman  Scott said last week, Oklahoma State has some dudes. When you recruit multiple Top 10 classes, that is the effect you create. There is a bounty of young, talented wrestlers not just in the starting lineup but sitting right behind All-Americans or seasoned veterans. Already, four freshmen have wrestled in dual meets this year and have been, or are currently ranked in Flowrestling’s D1 Rankings.

If you wrestle for Smith, there is a certain level of intensity expected of you, and a high standard to meet. So far, Smith seems optimistic about the direction of his young starters.

“It’s rewarding from the standpoint of seeing the development a little bit quicker,” Smith said. “So many young guys, (we have) four freshmen out there, ‘25, ‘41, ‘49 and ‘74. You look at it and you’re like, ‘Let’s keep this thing rolling and make sure we’re developing.’”

For these young freshmen, it has been nothing short of trial by fire. After a nice tuneup dual against Bucknell to start the year, the Cowboys jumped right into tournaments, including the toughest tournament of the regular season, the Cliff Keen Invitational. So far, they have fought hard, and some have fought adversity early in their careers. It is a different route Smith is going by starting four freshmen, but so far, it hasn’t led to a dead end.