John Smith Goes for 200th Win

John Smith has enjoyed one of the most decorated wrestling careers in Oklahoma State history, both as a wrestler and as a coach. On the mat Smith won two NCAA titles before he began competing internationally. He set career records at OSU with 154 career wins and 60 falls. In 1988 he set a mark by going 47-0. As a world competitor he won six consecutive world titles, including two Olympic gold medals.

In 1991, Smith took over the reins of the Oklahoma State wrestling program with Kenny Monday. The program was hit with NCAA sanctions and Smith was trying to help bring it back up from an all-time low. Smith and Monday went 7-0 that season in duals, but did not compete in the Big 12 Championships.

They did finish as NCAA runner-ups to Iowa at the NCAA Championships. The Cowboys were ineligible, however, for postseason consideration in Smith'?s second season at the helm.

In the time since Smith took over the program, the Cowboys have won seven conference championships and finished in the top three at the NCAA Championships seven times, including three national championships. It could be argued that Smith has resuscitated the program from its low point in the early '90s to an all-time high in its current status. OSU has won consecutive national titles and are looking to win many more.

Smith has won 199 duals during his tenure at Oklahoma State, which spans 13 years. His 199 wins ranks second on the schools all-time win list, trailing only Tommy Chesbro with 227 wins. He has amassed a career winning percentage of .883 with a record of 199-25-3.

The Cowboys are certain to go well beyond the 200 win plateau. At the age of 39, Smith has many more years of coaching ahead of him before he considers hanging it up.