John Smith stares at one of his wrestlers inside Oklahoma State’s wrestling lounge area. 

He’s speaking to media in his weekly press conference but decides to use his chat as a double motivator for 141-pounder Carter Young.

Young opens the door and struts to the locker room. But not before Smith makes a point. He talks about teammates stepping up. Being that guy and taking control of the dual. Something Smith needs and wants to see from Young.

“You got a teammate that steps out there and puts the effort out and…. uh anyway,” Smith said. “Lost my thought.”

Reporters laugh. Welcome to Smith’s school of wrestling. 

Here are some notes during #15 Oklahoma State’s week off before the Southern Scuffle. 

Mastrogiovanni Rolls Into Scuffle With Reno Title

John Smith said he plans to bring 26 wrestlers to the Southern Scuffle. The Cowboys are sending their 10 starters for the first time since 2020. In 2022, Victor Voinovich led the small contingent of reserves with a third-place finish at 149.         

Second-ranked 133-pounder Daton Fix returns as a 2019 champion and # 9 Kaden Gfeller also won at 149 that year. They are the only returning Cowboys with a Southern Scuffle title. 

Oklahoma State 125-pounder Trevor Mastrogiovanni, ranked 11th, won the Reno Tournament of Champions last weekend. He competed as the only Cowboy starter in that tournament and worked out of a two-match losing streak. 

It’s needed success for a guy who surrendered more than five minutes of riding time in his two bouts before Reno. Third-ranked Patrick McKee of Minnesota stymied Mastrogiovanni, 4-1, with 3:27 of riding time. In Bedlam, #10 Joey Prata of Oklahoma stopped Mastrogiovanni, 4-2, with 2:07 in riding time. 

Mastrogiovanni rolled through Reno with three pins in five matches.  Gavin Stika, a backup 184-pounder, also won at Reno.

Last week, Smith said Mastrogiovanni’s improvement is a matter of attitude. 

"I saw his workout yesterday, and I saw  a different guy, so I can live with it," he said. "When I say I said I saw a different guy, I saw a guy I hadn’t seen all year. Just a level of intensity, like, ‘This is bulls***, it’s not happening anymore.’ That’s what I saw in him.”

Plott Eyeing All-American Repeat

An All-American honor changed Dustin Plott’s mentality.

Fourth-ranked Plott, Oklahoma State’s 174-pounder, placed sixth at the 2022 NCAA Championships. He’s undefeated 5-0 this season with three bonus-point wins. A return to the podium seems likely. Time will tell.

Though a COVID-year sophomore, Plott emerged as one of Smith’s “fire starters” in Bedlam. His 21-6 tech fall over #13 Darrien Roberts manufactured momentum and put the Cowboys in position to win. He displayed what Smith preached each week. 

“We gotta develop some guys that like at the end of the year, we’re gonna go, ‘That guy developed,’” Smith said. “’Wow. That was fun to watch.’ Let’s find out. We want to be saying that. We want to be going, ‘Wow. Who was that guy? That guy was incredible.’

Plott’s teammates notice his advanced progress, too.

“I think because he All-Americaned last year, he’s got a new level of expectation for himself that he’s got to live up to,” 184-pounder Travis Wittlake said. “I think he’s doing that with a lot of success. He’s doing really well.”

Gfeller’s Surprise

A summer of fatherhood didn’t delay Kaden Gfeller’s ability to perform up a weight. 

Yeah, he’s engaged. Sure, he’s a dad. He returned to the program at 200 pounds. But he’s still a threat at 157. Gfeller sits at 4-1 with a key win over #10 Brayton Lee of Minnesota. 

“I’m not taking anything from him, but looking at the people he’s wrestled,” Smith said. “There’s a big difference from #25 and #1, # 2 and #3. We’ll see.”

Smith doesn’t like to celebrate guys ranked in the teens — a spot where Gfeller has been most of his career. But perhaps Gfeller’s final go could be different.

“I want you guys to know, you’re # 14 or #15, that means you win one match (at NCAAs),” Smith said. “Middle of the field.”

Cowboys' Remaining Dual Schedule

Jan. 8: At Oregon State

Jan 15: At Columbia

Jan. 20: Northern Colorado

Jan 22: West Virginia 

Jan. 28: at #13 Northern Iowa

Jan. 29: at #4 Iowa State

Feb. 3: #7 Michigan (Bout at the Ballpark)

Feb. 5: #6 Missouri

Feb. 10: at South Dakota State

Feb. 12: Stanford

Feb. 16: #22 Oklahoma

Feb. 19: at #2 Iowa