Oklahoma State's Coleman Scott Wins NCAA Championship

Saturday, March 22

St. Louis, MO

Oklahoma State University

NCAA Wrestling

March 23, 2008 | Cowboy Wrestling

ST. LOUIS Â– For Oklahoma State four-time All-American Coleman Scott, the 2008 wrestling season was about one thing -- winning a national championship. Not only did he accomplish that goal, but he did it in the most dominating fashion possible, pinning fourth-seeded Joey Slaton of Iowa in a mere 49 seconds in Saturday's NCAA title match.

“I felt great tonight. I prepared, I did everything right and coach always stresses that if you're taking someone down, look to take them to their back and keep them there and get the pin because bonus points are big,” Scott said. “I worked that tonight and it felt great. It's the best I've ever felt.”

Wrestling in front of a decidedly pro-Iowa crowd at the Scottrade Center, Scott made the most of the only shot of the match, catching Slaton with a left-handed high crotch, then locking in a cradle to eventually record the pin.

“I've never hit that move in my life before,” Scott said. “I've hit the high crotch, but never had it where I got the head like that. It was just instincts and I did it.”

Scott's career with the Cowboys included most every honor a wrestler can accumulate. He was a starter on two NCAA title teams with the Cowboys in 2005 and 2006. He earned All-America honors in each of his four seasons at OSU, making him only the 12^th Cowboy to ever accomplish the feat. He was a two-time Big 12 conference champion. The one thing that was missing from his list of career slate was an individual national title.

Scott and Slaton met earlier in the year when Scott was an 8-6 winner over Slaton as part of Oklahoma State's 19-14 win over the then-No. 1 Hawkeyes in Iowa City on Jan. 5. Scott got out to a 7-1 lead in that match and fought off Slaton's rally to claim his win that day. It wasn't nearly as close in the NCAA championship match.

“We had our struggles during the year and he put that on his shoulders when he didn't need to,” OSU coach John Smith said. “With the adversity that Coleman has faced, he kind of claws his way through. He obviously had a breakdown in the semifinal match at the Big 12s which probably ended up being very helpful for him in the long run in making a difference in understanding that you'd better get focused here.”

Scott was one of four Cowboys to earn All-America honors this year as he was joined by senior Nathan Morgan, who earned the third All-America honor of his career by placing fourth, senior Jack Jensen, who earned his first All-America honor by taking seventh and sophomore Jared Rosholt, who placed fourth at heavyweight to secure his first career All-America honor.

“This is awesome. It's what you dream about,” Scott said. “When you go to sleep at night and stuff is going through your head, that's what you picture, getting that pin. That's what you want and everything worked out perfectly.

“I didn't take any shortcuts this year and it paid off in the end.”

Coleman Scott Career Capsule

:: 2008 NCAA Champion (133 pounds)

:: 12^th four-time All-American in Oklahoma State history

:: Two-time NCAA finalist (2007, 2008)

:: Two-time Big 12 Champion (2005, 2007)

:: 117-22 career record

:: 33-4 record as a senior

:: Big 12 Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2008)

:: 29-10 record in last 39 matches vs. ranked opponents

Final Team Standings

1. Iowa - 117.5 points