Cowboys adjust to new underdog role

STILLWATER — As the NCAA Championships begin today in St. Louis, Oklahoma State finds itself in an unfamiliar position — underdogs.

The Cowboys had hoped to challenge reigning champion Iowa State at the Big 12 Tournament two weeks ago but finished a distant third. But despite that, OSU coach John Smith isn't seeking a way to erase the past.

"I don't think I would change anything that happened in the Big 12,” Smith said. "For us to have a great tournament at the end I think there needed to be some disappointment.”

Coleman Scott (133) and Nathan Morgan (141) were perhaps the most disappointed. Scott had been ranked No. 1 all season, but was upset in the first round. Morgan was seeking his fourth conference championship, but lost in the finals. Still, there is reason for optimism.

"I remind them often of examples of guys who didn't win the Big 12 but had their best performances later,” Smith said. "Nathan was a three time champion going for four. In the three years he won it he didn't win a national championship. Coleman Scott lost a little bit of control. I don't think he planned for that tough of a match. I see him responding.”

The Cowboys have eight wrestlers in the tournament field. While Scott and Morgan will need to perform strongly for OSU to figure into the team race, heavyweight Jared Rosholt is 29-3 and a conference champion. He's become a stable presence in the lineup after an up and down freshman season.

"There's no question the season has been a lot better for him,” Smith said. "He's matured into what I've hoped for. He's made some real personal changes to bring out his very best.”

Iowa, Iowa State and Minnesota are the primary players in the team race, with OSU just outside that group. But Smith has seen this pattern before. In 2006, Minnesota was favored for the national championship but OSU got hot and won. Parity has been ever present this season and OSU hopes to use it to its advantage.

"Parity exists,” Smith said. "It's here and you have to work yourself out of it if you're going to put yourself in a position to win championships. I know what it's going to take for us to have a good tournament. It's likely we have to beat people we aren't supposed to beat.”