JimBob
03-26-2008, 07:34 AM
O-State's Scott awaits Olympic wrestling trials
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
3/26/2008
Coleman Scott is not wasting any time preparing for his next challenge.
Three days after winning the 133-pound NCAA wrestling championship in St. Louis, the Oklahoma State senior already has his eyes on a bigger prize -- the Olympics this summer in Beijing, China.
"It's good to end my (college) career on a high note, and I want to keep it going," Scott said. "I want to keep it going and have a good tournament next month in Vegas and put together another good one when the trials take place in June."
Scott will travel to Las Vegas for next month's U.S. Senior Nationals and will return to Las Vegas for the June 13-15 U.S. Olympic team trials. Only the trials champion at each weight class advances to the Olympics.
He is not listed in the top 10 U.S. wrestlers at the 132-pound weight class according to the latest U.S. Senior Freestyle rankings provided by TheMat.com.
OSU coach John Smith is trying to convince Scott to relax and soak in his first NCAA title. Scott's first-period pin in 49 seconds against Iowa's Joe Slaton is believed to be the quickest fall in an NCAA finals match since 1978.
Smith told Scott to not get on the mat and practice on Monday and, "I may have to tell him that again today," he said. "He really needs about a week off, but there's no question it's his ambition to step in there and try to make (the Olympic team)."
Scott is one of seven former OSU wrestlers who will attempt to become Olympians. Scott's former teammates Zack Esposito, Chris Pendleton and Steve Mocco along with ex-Cowboys Tyrone Lewis, Mo Lawal and Daniel Cormier are also vying for an Olympic opportunity.
"There isn't any question it is an uphill battle for Coleman," Smith said. "It's going to be the guy that puts together four or five great, great matches. You're going to wrestle national champions and two-time national champions every match. It's about having a great, great performance when it counts the most."
As a past member of the U.S. Junior World freestyle team, Scott knows a little about what he is up against. If he doesn't make the U.S. team, he said he'll turn his sights on trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Leaving college wrestling as a national champion, though, definitely helps the transition process, Scott said.
He had a few tough losses this season, including a shocking upset in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament, before finally fulfilling his ultimate collegiate dream.
"It's a great feeling. I had to work harder and keep getting better every day," he said. "Once nationals came, I forgot about all that (past) stuff and just kept telling myself I was the best guy in the weight class. I just had to prove it."
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
3/26/2008
Coleman Scott is not wasting any time preparing for his next challenge.
Three days after winning the 133-pound NCAA wrestling championship in St. Louis, the Oklahoma State senior already has his eyes on a bigger prize -- the Olympics this summer in Beijing, China.
"It's good to end my (college) career on a high note, and I want to keep it going," Scott said. "I want to keep it going and have a good tournament next month in Vegas and put together another good one when the trials take place in June."
Scott will travel to Las Vegas for next month's U.S. Senior Nationals and will return to Las Vegas for the June 13-15 U.S. Olympic team trials. Only the trials champion at each weight class advances to the Olympics.
He is not listed in the top 10 U.S. wrestlers at the 132-pound weight class according to the latest U.S. Senior Freestyle rankings provided by TheMat.com.
OSU coach John Smith is trying to convince Scott to relax and soak in his first NCAA title. Scott's first-period pin in 49 seconds against Iowa's Joe Slaton is believed to be the quickest fall in an NCAA finals match since 1978.
Smith told Scott to not get on the mat and practice on Monday and, "I may have to tell him that again today," he said. "He really needs about a week off, but there's no question it's his ambition to step in there and try to make (the Olympic team)."
Scott is one of seven former OSU wrestlers who will attempt to become Olympians. Scott's former teammates Zack Esposito, Chris Pendleton and Steve Mocco along with ex-Cowboys Tyrone Lewis, Mo Lawal and Daniel Cormier are also vying for an Olympic opportunity.
"There isn't any question it is an uphill battle for Coleman," Smith said. "It's going to be the guy that puts together four or five great, great matches. You're going to wrestle national champions and two-time national champions every match. It's about having a great, great performance when it counts the most."
As a past member of the U.S. Junior World freestyle team, Scott knows a little about what he is up against. If he doesn't make the U.S. team, he said he'll turn his sights on trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Leaving college wrestling as a national champion, though, definitely helps the transition process, Scott said.
He had a few tough losses this season, including a shocking upset in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament, before finally fulfilling his ultimate collegiate dream.
"It's a great feeling. I had to work harder and keep getting better every day," he said. "Once nationals came, I forgot about all that (past) stuff and just kept telling myself I was the best guy in the weight class. I just had to prove it."