The Daily O’Collegian

Preston Bezant/O’Collegian

Cowboy wrestling coach John Smith won Olympic gold medals in 1988 and 1992 and coached the 2000 Olympic team. Two of Smith’s former OSU wrestlers, Daniel Cormier and Steve Mocco, made the 2008 team.

When the Summer Olympics start Aug. 8 in Beijing, China, two former Oklahoma State wrestlers will carry on a Cowboy tradition that spans more than 80 years.

Daniel Cormier and Steve Mocco will represent the United States after both former Cowboys won their weight classes at the Olympic Trials on June 15.

Mocco won his weight class with a first-round bye followed by two shutout victories and a dominating two-match performance over his rival, Tommy Rowlands, in the championship series.

Cormier, the 2008 John Smith Award winner as the nation’s top freestyle wrestler, also breezed through his competition in arguably one of the toughest weight classes in the world at 96 kilograms.

Cormier and Mocco will be the 33rd and 34th wrestlers from Oklahoma State to compete in the Olympic games, and they don’t take the tradition lightly.

“That tradition is huge to me,” Cormier said. “It’s a responsibility. Olympic wrestling and Oklahoma State go hand in hand. We enjoy that history, but getting there is just a part of it.

“We want to win medals. In 2000 was the first time Oklahoma State didn’t have a wrestler, but we had four in 2004. We just expect it and move forward.”

This will be Cormier’s second appearance in the Olympics after he wrestled for the United States in 2004 in Athens. Cormier said he feels that he has progressively improved since Athens and he is ready to pursue a gold medal after a fourth place finish in 2004.

“It’s an honor and a privilege, but I went already,” Cormier said. “I went in 2004 and came up a little short. This time I have worked harder and I’m more focused and determined to come home with a gold medal. Four years ago my eyes were wide open. I was in awe of the situation. It was so huge. Nothing is going to surprise me anymore.

“The moment of the Olympic Games can sometimes be too much for you if you’re not prepared for it in certain situations, but I’m a better wrestler now and I’m better mentally, so I think my chances are a lot better.”

Mocco will be representing a longstanding custom of OSU heavyweights competing at the Olympics. Guy Lookabaugh was OSU’s first heavyweight wrestler to compete in the games, posting a fourth place finish in 1924.

“I am aware of the history of OSU heavyweights,” Mocco said. “I know what those guys have done over the years. It is a very strong tradition. OSU seems to always have an Olympic heavyweight.”

Mocco made his first U.S. World Team after finishing in the runner-up spot in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

“From the time I was young I have always dreamed about going to the Olympics,” Mocco said. “Now I am going to have that opportunity. I’m looking forward to it. I’m more excited about it than anything else right now.”

Oklahoma State coach John Smith has played a vital role in their preparation, but perhaps his greatest impact is seen through his own Olympic experience. Smith won gold for the United States in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Smith also coached the 2000 Olympic team.

“It doesn’t come around but once every four years, and one of these days you run out of opportunities because of your age or whatever it may be,” Smith said. “I think both of these guys have validated me with their ‘I’m going do what I have to’ attitude.

“Whether it’s a late night session, working out three times a day, more running, more lifting or whatever it is they need to get that mental edge. They’ve done it and now they have to move forward.”

Smith said he understands his responsibility to his former wrestlers, Oklahoma State and the U.S. team and he said he hopes that Cormier and Mocco will be able to add to the 12 gold medals already won by former Cowboys.

“It’s a good tradition,” Smith said. “It’s a tradition that now carries through 2008 with these two guys. As the coach here at Oklahoma State, it is a tradition we are very proud of.

“I like to look back and see all the former OSU wrestlers who have done great things in the Olympics.”