Oklahoma State wrestling reunion set
There will be a definite Cowboys connection on Sunday when the Wyoming wrestling team takes on No. 15 Oklahoma State and Binghamton (N.Y.) in dual matches in Stillwater, Okla.
Of course, it will be Wyoming Cowboys versus Oklahoma State Cowboys. But UW is coached by former Oklahoma State All-American (1994-97) and assistant coach Mark Branch (11 years) and Binghamton is coached by former Oklahoma State wrestler Pat Popolizio (1998-2001).
It's a little family reunion for longtime Oklahoma State coach John Smith.
Smith, however, told Christopher Shelton of the Stillwater Newspress, that he is treating the duals like any other competition.
“I want to beat them as bad as I want to beat anyone,” Smith said. “When they’re not wrestling (OSU), I want them to win. It’s good to see that both programs have elevated up. In the short time that Mark Branch has been to Wyoming, just statistics and stats show that he’s already elevated that program to a new level of what expectations are.
“And the same with Pat Popolizio at Binghamton, there isn’t any question. In his third year, I believe, he’s raised the bar on expectations and is showing that a little school like Binghamton has a lot of pride in what they’re doing. That I am proud of, seeing that both of these young coaches have elevated their programs to expect more from their student athletes.”
Under Branch, the Wyoming Cowboys have won eight straight duals and are 12-2 on the season. Binghamton is 12-12 in duals and Oklahoma State is 12-7. In head to heads, OSU is 11-0-1 against Wyoming and UW and Binghamton, out of the Colonial Athletic Association, have never met in duals.
UW wrestling fans can keep track of the matches via the Oklahoma State athletics website. Just to show you where OSU wrestling is nationally, its two duals will be broadcast live on 93.7 KSPI-FM radio Stillwater. The broadcast can also be accessed live online at www.okstate.com, as can live streaming video and live stats and play-by-play. The live video will incorporate the audio from KSPI’s broadcast. Video from the Binghamton vs. Wyoming dual will not be available online through okstate.com, but live play-by-play stats and match results from all three duals will be available on www.okstate.com.
Of course, it will be Wyoming Cowboys versus Oklahoma State Cowboys. But UW is coached by former Oklahoma State All-American (1994-97) and assistant coach Mark Branch (11 years) and Binghamton is coached by former Oklahoma State wrestler Pat Popolizio (1998-2001).
It's a little family reunion for longtime Oklahoma State coach John Smith.
Smith, however, told Christopher Shelton of the Stillwater Newspress, that he is treating the duals like any other competition.
“I want to beat them as bad as I want to beat anyone,” Smith said. “When they’re not wrestling (OSU), I want them to win. It’s good to see that both programs have elevated up. In the short time that Mark Branch has been to Wyoming, just statistics and stats show that he’s already elevated that program to a new level of what expectations are.
“And the same with Pat Popolizio at Binghamton, there isn’t any question. In his third year, I believe, he’s raised the bar on expectations and is showing that a little school like Binghamton has a lot of pride in what they’re doing. That I am proud of, seeing that both of these young coaches have elevated their programs to expect more from their student athletes.”
Under Branch, the Wyoming Cowboys have won eight straight duals and are 12-2 on the season. Binghamton is 12-12 in duals and Oklahoma State is 12-7. In head to heads, OSU is 11-0-1 against Wyoming and UW and Binghamton, out of the Colonial Athletic Association, have never met in duals.
UW wrestling fans can keep track of the matches via the Oklahoma State athletics website. Just to show you where OSU wrestling is nationally, its two duals will be broadcast live on 93.7 KSPI-FM radio Stillwater. The broadcast can also be accessed live online at www.okstate.com, as can live streaming video and live stats and play-by-play. The live video will incorporate the audio from KSPI’s broadcast. Video from the Binghamton vs. Wyoming dual will not be available online through okstate.com, but live play-by-play stats and match results from all three duals will be available on www.okstate.com.
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