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{{short description|American wrestler}}
{{short description|American wrestler (born 1965)}}
{{About|the American Olympic wrestler|the Zambian wrestler|John Smith (Zambian wrestler)|the American professional wrestler|J.T. Smith (wrestler)}}
{{About|the American Olympic wrestler|the Zambian wrestler|John Smith (Zambian wrestler)|the American professional wrestler|J.T. Smith (wrestler)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
[[File:John Smith.webp|thumb|John Smith with his Olympic Gold medals]]
{{Infobox sportsperson
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = John Smith
| name = John Smith
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| full_name = John William Smith
| full_name = John William Smith
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|August 9, 1965}}
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|August 9, 1965}}
| birth_place = [[Del City, Oklahoma]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Del City, Oklahoma]], U.S.
| headercolor = lightsteelblue
| headercolor = Gold
| show-medals = yes
| height = 5 ft 7 in
| medaltemplates =
| weight = 62 kg
| country = United States
⚫
{{Medal|Sport | Men's [[freestyle wrestling]] }}
| sport = [[Wrestling]]
| weight_class = 62 kg
| event = [[Freestyle wrestling|Freestyle]] and [[Collegiate wrestling|Folkstyle]]
| club = [[Sunkist Kids|Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club]]
| collegeteam = [[Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling|Oklahoma State]]
| team = USA
| show-medals = yes
⚫
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport | Men's [[freestyle wrestling]] }}
{{Medal|Country | the {{USA}} }}
{{Medal|Country | the {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] }}
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{{Medal|Gold | [[1991 World Wrestling Championships|1991 Varna]] | 62 kg }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1991 World Wrestling Championships|1991 Varna]] | 62 kg }}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Goodwill Games]] }}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Goodwill Games]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | 1986 Moscow|62 kg}}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1986 Goodwill Games|1986 Moscow]]|62 kg}}
{{Medal|Gold | 1990 Seattle|62 kg}}
{{Medal|Gold | [[Wrestling at the 1990 Goodwill Games|1990 Seattle]]|62 kg}}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Pan American Games]] }}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Pan American Games]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1987 Pan American Games|1987 Indianapolis]] | [[Wrestling at the 1987 Pan American Games|62 kg]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1987 Pan American Games|1987 Indianapolis]] | [[Wrestling at the 1987 Pan American Games|62 kg]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1991 Pan American Games|1991 Havana]] | [[Wrestling at the 1991 Pan American Games|62 kg]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1991 Pan American Games|1991 Havana]] | [[Wrestling at the 1991 Pan American Games|62 kg]] }}
{{MedalSport | [[Collegiate Wrestling]]}}{{MedalCountry | the}} [[Oklahoma State Cowboys]] {{MedalCompetition|[[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships]]}}
{{MedalSport | [[Collegiate wrestling|Collegiate Wrestling]]}}{{MedalCountry | the}} [[Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling|Oklahoma State Cowboys]] {{MedalCompetition|[[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1987 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|1987 College Park]]|134 lb}}
[[File:NCAA logo.svg|center|40px]]
{{MedalGold|[[1988 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|1988 Iowa]]|134 lb}}
{{MedalGold|[[1988 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|1988 Ames]]|134 lb}}
{{MedalGold|[[1987 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|1987 Maryland]]|134 lb}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1985 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|1985 Oklahoma City]]|134 lb}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1985 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|1985 Oklahoma]]|134 lb}}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Big Eight Conference|Big 8 Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|1985 Norman|134 lb}}
{{MedalGold|1987 Stillwater|134 lb}}
{{MedalGold|1988 Norman|134 lb}}
{{MedalSilver|1984 Stillwater|126 lb}}
}}
}}


'''John William Smith''' (born August 9, 1965)<ref>{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sm/john-smith-2.html |title=John Smith}}</ref> is an American [[Collegiate wrestling|folkstyle]] and [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle]] wrestler and coach. Smith was a two-time [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] national champion, and a [[List of World and Olympic Champions in men's freestyle wrestling#6 World Level Championships|six-time]] [[List of World and Olympic Champions in men's freestyle wrestling|world level champion]] with two [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Championships and four [[World Wrestling Championships|World]] Wrestling Championships. Smith is the only American wrestler ever to win six consecutive World or Olympic championships as a competitor. At the end of his competitive career, Smith had won more World and Olympic gold medals in wrestling than any other American. Smith was widely known for his low single leg takedown,<ref>Brownlee, Shannon. (March 14, 1988). [https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/03/14/how-low-can-you-get-john-smiths-close-to-the-mat-strategy-has-made-him-all-but-unbeatable-in-both-college-and-olympic-style-wrestling How Low Can You Get?]. ''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.bjjee.com/articles/history-low-single-leg-overlooking-legend-invented-john-smith/ History Of The Low Single Leg and Overlooking the Legend who Invented it – John Smith]. ''bjjee.com''. Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref> and is considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time.<ref>[https://okstate.com/news/2022/1/6/wrestling-john-smith-named-greatest-american-wrestler-of-all-time.aspx#:~:text=STILLWATER%20%E2%80%93%20Oklahoma%20State%20wrestling%20coach,at%20every%20level%20of%20wrestling. John Smith Named Greatest American Wrestler of All Time]. ''okstate.com''. Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref><ref>Steen, Alex. (September 3, 2016). [https://news.theopenmat.com/international-wrestling/updated-top-10-greatest-olympic-wrestlers-time-mens-freestyle/59210 Top 10 Greatest Olympic Wrestlers of All Time - Men's Freestyle]. ''The Open Mat''. Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref><ref>Binoy, Allan. (July 26, 2021). [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tokyo-olympics-news-john-smith-bruce-baumgartner-jordan-burroughs-dan-gable-cael-sanderson-top-5-american-wrestlers-to-ever-compete-at-the-olympics/ Top 5 American Wrestlers to Ever Compete at the Olympics]. ''Essentially Sports''. Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref>
'''John William Smith''' (born August 9, 1965)<ref>{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sm/john-smith-2.html |title=John Smith}}</ref> is an American [[Collegiate wrestling|folkstyle]] and [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle]] wrestler and coach. Smith was a two-time [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] national champion, and a [[List of World and Olympic Champions in men's freestyle wrestling#6 World Level Championships|six-time]] [[List of World and Olympic Champions in men's freestyle wrestling|world level champion]] with two [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Championships and four [[World Wrestling Championships|World]] Wrestling Championships. Smith is the only [[Americans|American]] wrestler ever to win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor. At the end of his competitive career, Smith had won more World and Olympic gold medals in wrestling than any other American. Smith was widely known for his low single leg takedown,<ref>Brownlee, Shannon. (March 14, 1988). [https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/03/14/how-low-can-you-get-john-smiths-close-to-the-mat-strategy-has-made-him-all-but-unbeatable-in-both-college-and-olympic-style-wrestling How Low Can You Get?]. ''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.bjjee.com/articles/history-low-single-leg-overlooking-legend-invented-john-smith/ History Of The Low Single Leg and Overlooking the Legend who Invented it – John Smith]. ''bjjee.com''. Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref> and is considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time.<ref>[https://okstate.com/news/2022/1/6/wrestling-john-smith-named-greatest-american-wrestler-of-all-time.aspx#:~:text=STILLWATER%20%E2%80%93%20Oklahoma%20State%20wrestling%20coach,at%20every%20level%20of%20wrestling. John Smith Named Greatest American Wrestler of All Time]. ''okstate.com''. Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref><ref>Steen, Alex. (September 3, 2016). [https://news.theopenmat.com/international-wrestling/updated-top-10-greatest-olympic-wrestlers-time-mens-freestyle/59210 Top 10 Greatest Olympic Wrestlers of All Time - Men's Freestyle]. ''The Open Mat''. Retrieved July 17, 2022.</ref><ref>Binoy, Allan. (July 26, 2021). [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tokyo-olympics-news-john-smith-bruce-baumgartner-jordan-burroughs-dan-gable-cael-sanderson-top-5-american-wrestlers-to-ever-compete-at-the-olympics/ Top 5 American Wrestlers to Ever Compete at the Olympics]. ''Essentially Sports''. Retrieved September 23, 2022.</ref>


==Wrestling career==
==Wrestling career==
===High School===
===High School===
Smith wrestled at [[Del City High School]] in [[Del City, Oklahoma]]. While in high school Smith had a 105-5 record, and was a two-time [[Oklahoma]] state champion.<ref>Wojciehowski, Gene. (July 19, 1992). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-19-sp-4788-story.html Wrestling With Himself : Olympic Champion John Smith Blocks Out Everything Else, Then Beats Everyone Else]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved September 17, 2022.</ref>
Smith wrestled at [[Del City High School]] in [[Del City, Oklahoma]]. While in high school Smith had a 105–5 record, and was a two-time [[Oklahoma]] state champion.<ref>Wojciehowski, Gene. (July 19, 1992). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-19-sp-4788-story.html Wrestling With Himself : Olympic Champion John Smith Blocks Out Everything Else, Then Beats Everyone Else]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved September 17, 2022.</ref>


===College===
===College===
Smith competed [[Collegiate wrestling|collegiately]] at [[Oklahoma State University]]. While at Oklahoma State University, Smith's college career record was 154-7-2. At the [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships]], Smith was a three-time national finalist and a two-time national champion. He finished his college career with 90 consecutive victories.
Smith competed [[Collegiate wrestling|collegiately]] at [[Oklahoma State University]]. While at Oklahoma State University, Smith's college career record was 154-7-2. At the [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships]], Smith was a three-time national finalist and a two-time national champion. After losing in the 1985 finals to future US House representative [[Jim Jordan]], he finished his college career with 90 consecutive victories.


===International===
===Senior level===
Beginning in his teenage years, Smith competed internationally in [[freestyle wrestling]]. Highlights of his career include four [[United World Wrestling|UWW]] World gold medals, and two [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medals. At the Senior level, his international freestyle wrestling record was 100-5. He is the only American wrestler to ever win six consecutive World or Olympic championships as a competitor.<ref name="okstate1">{{cite web|url=https://okstate.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1600|title=John Smith - 2018-19 Wrestling Coaching Staff - Oklahoma State University|website=okstate.com|access-date=2019-06-07}}</ref>
Beginning in his teenage years, Smith competed internationally in [[freestyle wrestling]]. Highlights of his career include four [[United World Wrestling|UWW]] World gold medals, and two [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medals. At the Senior level, his international freestyle wrestling record was 100–5, with an overall record of 177–8.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Gary |date=2004-11-19 |title=Smith vs. Sarkissian is the new "Bout of the Week" |url=https://content.usawmembership.com/articles/11105 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=content.usawmembership.com}}</ref> He is the only American wrestler to ever win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor.<ref name="okstate1">{{cite web|url=https://okstate.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1600|title=John Smith - 2018-19 Wrestling Coaching Staff - Oklahoma State University|website=okstate.com|access-date=2019-06-07}}</ref>


==Coaching career==
==Coaching career==
Smith became the head wrestling coach at [[Oklahoma State University]] in 1991. During his tenure, Oklahoma State University won five [[NCAA Division I]] national team titles, with titles coming in 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. As of 2022, his overall dual meet record was 462-69-6.<ref name="okstate.com">{{cite web|url=http://okstate.com/coaches.aspx?rc=160|title=John Smith|work=okstate.com}}</ref> He had also coached 33 [[NCAA Division I]] individual national champions, and coached his wrestlers to 150 All-American honors. Smith has brought 21 team conference titles and 129 individual conference championships to Stillwater as a coach, as well.<ref name="okstate1"/>
Smith became the head wrestling coach at [[Oklahoma State University]] in 1991. During his tenure, Oklahoma State University won five [[NCAA Division I]] national team titles, with titles coming in 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. As of 2022, his overall dual meet record was 490-73-6.<ref name="okstate.com">{{cite web|url=http://okstate.com/coaches.aspx?rc=160|title=John Smith|work=okstate.com}}</ref> He had also coached 33 [[NCAA Division I]] individual national champions, and coached his wrestlers to 152 All-American honors. Smith has brought 21 team conference titles and 129 individual conference championships to Stillwater as a coach, as well. On April 11, 2024 he announced his retirement and departure from OSU.<ref name="okstate1"/> [[David Taylor (wrestler, born 1990)|David Taylor]] was appointed as his successor.


==Awards and honors==
==Awards and honors==
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;1990
;1990
*{{gold1}} [[United World Wrestling|World Wrestling Championships]]
*{{gold1}} [[United World Wrestling|World Wrestling Championships]]
*{{gold1}} [[Wrestling at the 1990 Goodwill Games|1990 Goodwill Games wrestling tournament]]
*{{gold1}} Grand Masters of Olympic Wrestling
*{{gold1}} Grand Masters of Olympic Wrestling
*[[United World Wrestling|UWW]] Master of Technique award winner
*[[United World Wrestling|UWW]] Master of Technique award winner
Line 85: Line 99:
===Other honors===
===Other honors===
* Smith was inducted into the [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame]] as a Distinguished Member in 1997.
* Smith was inducted into the [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame]] as a Distinguished Member in 1997.
* He was inducted into the [[Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame]] with the class of 1997.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://oklahomasportshalloffame.wordpress.com/class-of-1997/ | title=Class of 1997 | date=April 8, 2020 }}</ref>
* In 2020, Smith was inducted into the [[Oklahoma Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://oklahomahof.com/member-archives/s/smith-john-w-2020 | title=Smith, John W. &#124; 2020 }}</ref>
* The high school Smith graduated from, [[Del City High School]] in Oklahoma, named its field house after him.
* The high school Smith graduated from, [[Del City High School]] in Oklahoma, named its field house after him.
* Smith has a wrestling move named after him, the John Smith low single.
* Smith has a wrestling move named after him, the John Smith low single.


==Family==
==Family==
Smith's older brother Lee Roy Smith and younger brother [[Pat Smith (wrestler)|Pat Smith]] are [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] national champions. Smith's youngest brother, Mark, was also a successful [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] wrestler, having placed in the top five nationally three times. Smith's nephews Mark Perry and Chris Perry are also [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] national champions. His son, Joe Smith, earned NCAA All-American honors twice while wrestling at Oklahoma State under his coaching.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://okstate.com/sports/wrestling/roster/joe-smith/7531 |title=Joe Smith - 2019-20 - Wrestling - Oklahoma State University Athletics |publisher=Okstate.com |date= |accessdate=2021-11-21}}</ref> His nephew [[J. T. Realmuto]] is an All-Star [[Major League Baseball]] player for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/fl-sp-marlins-jt-realmuto-first-base-20170322-story.html| title = Playing first base? That's nothing for J.T. Realmuto, former QB/power forward/shortstop/wrestler - South Florida Sun Sentinel - South Florida Sun-Sentinel}} </ref>
Smith's older brother Lee Roy Smith and younger brother [[Pat Smith (wrestler)|Pat Smith]] are [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] wrestling national champions, with Pat being the sport's first ever four-time NCAA national champion. Smith's youngest brother, Mark, was also a successful NCAA Division I wrestler, having placed in the top five nationally three times. Smith's nephews Mark Perry and Chris Perry are also NCAA Division I national champions. His son, Joe Smith, earned NCAA All-American honors twice while wrestling at Oklahoma State under his coaching.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://okstate.com/sports/wrestling/roster/joe-smith/7531 |title=Joe Smith - 2019-20 - Wrestling - Oklahoma State University Athletics |publisher=Okstate.com |date= |accessdate=2021-11-21}}</ref> Another nephew of Smith, [[J. T. Realmuto]], is a [[Major League Baseball]] player.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/fl-sp-marlins-jt-realmuto-first-base-20170322-story.html| title = Playing first base? That's nothing for J.T. Realmuto, former QB/power forward/shortstop/wrestler - South Florida Sun Sentinel - South Florida Sun-Sentinel| date = March 22, 2017}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Medalists at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
⚫
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States]]
[[Category:World Wrestling Champions]]
[[Category:World Wrestling Champions]]
[[Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestlers]]
[[Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestlers]]
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[[Category:People from Del City, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:People from Del City, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Pan American Games medalists in wrestling]]
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[[Category:Wrestlers at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
⚫
[[Category:Wrestlers at the 1991 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Goodwill Games medalists in wrestling]]
[[Category:Goodwill Games medalists in wrestling]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1986 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1986 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1990 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1990 Goodwill Games]]
⚫
[[Category:Wrestlers at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
⚫
[[Category:Wrestlers at the 1991 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1991 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1991 Pan American Games]]
⚫
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in wrestling]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 15:33, 27 December 2024

This article is about the American Olympic wrestler. For the Zambian wrestler, see John Smith (Zambian wrestler). For the American professional wrestler, see J.T. Smith (wrestler).

John Smith with his Olympic Gold medals
John Smith
Personal information
Full nameJohn William Smith
BornAugust 9, 1965 (1965-08-09) (age 59)
Del City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight62 kg (137 lb)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Weight class62 kg
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamOklahoma State
ClubSunkist Kids Wrestling Club
TeamUSA
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 62 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1987 Clermont-Ferrand 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1989 Martigny 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1990 Tokyo 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1991 Varna 62 kg
Goodwill Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Moscow 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1990 Seattle 62 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Indianapolis 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1991 Havana 62 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Oklahoma State Cowboys
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 1987 College Park 134 lb
Gold medal – first place 1988 Ames 134 lb
Silver medal – second place 1985 Oklahoma City 134 lb
Big 8 Championships
Gold medal – first place 1985 Norman 134 lb
Gold medal – first place 1987 Stillwater 134 lb
Gold medal – first place 1988 Norman 134 lb
Silver medal – second place 1984 Stillwater 126 lb

John William Smith (born August 9, 1965)[1] is an American folkstyle and freestyle wrestler and coach. Smith was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion, and a six-time world level champion with two Olympic Championships and four World Wrestling Championships. Smith is the only American wrestler ever to win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor. At the end of his competitive career, Smith had won more World and Olympic gold medals in wrestling than any other American. Smith was widely known for his low single leg takedown,[2][3] and is considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time.[4][5][6]

Wrestling career

[edit]

High School

[edit]

Smith wrestled at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma. While in high school Smith had a 105–5 record, and was a two-time Oklahoma state champion.[7]

College

[edit]

Smith competed collegiately at Oklahoma State University. While at Oklahoma State University, Smith's college career record was 154-7-2. At the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Smith was a three-time national finalist and a two-time national champion. After losing in the 1985 finals to future US House representative Jim Jordan, he finished his college career with 90 consecutive victories.

Senior level

[edit]

Beginning in his teenage years, Smith competed internationally in freestyle wrestling. Highlights of his career include four UWW World gold medals, and two Olympic gold medals. At the Senior level, his international freestyle wrestling record was 100–5, with an overall record of 177–8.[8] He is the only American wrestler to ever win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor.[9]

Coaching career

[edit]

Smith became the head wrestling coach at Oklahoma State University in 1991. During his tenure, Oklahoma State University won five NCAA Division I national team titles, with titles coming in 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. As of 2022, his overall dual meet record was 490-73-6.[10] He had also coached 33 NCAA Division I individual national champions, and coached his wrestlers to 152 All-American honors. Smith has brought 21 team conference titles and 129 individual conference championships to Stillwater as a coach, as well. On April 11, 2024 he announced his retirement and departure from OSU.[9] David Taylor was appointed as his successor.

Awards and honors

[edit]
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985

Other honors

[edit]

Family

[edit]

Smith's older brother Lee Roy Smith and younger brother Pat Smith are NCAA Division I wrestling national champions, with Pat being the sport's first ever four-time NCAA national champion. Smith's youngest brother, Mark, was also a successful NCAA Division I wrestler, having placed in the top five nationally three times. Smith's nephews Mark Perry and Chris Perry are also NCAA Division I national champions. His son, Joe Smith, earned NCAA All-American honors twice while wrestling at Oklahoma State under his coaching.[13] Another nephew of Smith, J. T. Realmuto, is a Major League Baseball player.[14]

See also

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Dellinger, Bob & Doris. 1994. The Cowboys Ride Again. Oklahoma Bylines Inc. ISBN 978-1-882336-04-3
  • Zavoral, Nolan. 1997. A Season on the Mat. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-684-84787-0
  • Hammond, Jairus K. 2005. The History of Collegiate Wrestling. National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. ISBN 978-0-9765064-0-9
  • Moffat, James V. 2007. Wrestlers At The Trials. Exit Zero Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9799051-0-0
  • Parrish, Kim D. 2007. Cowboy Up. Oklahoma Heritage Association. ISBN 978-1-885596-61-1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "John Smith". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on December 4, 2016.
  2. ^ Brownlee, Shannon. (March 14, 1988). How Low Can You Get?. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  3. ^ History Of The Low Single Leg and Overlooking the Legend who Invented it – John Smith. bjjee.com. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  4. ^ John Smith Named Greatest American Wrestler of All Time. okstate.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Steen, Alex. (September 3, 2016). Top 10 Greatest Olympic Wrestlers of All Time - Men's Freestyle. The Open Mat. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Binoy, Allan. (July 26, 2021). Top 5 American Wrestlers to Ever Compete at the Olympics. Essentially Sports. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  7. ^ Wojciehowski, Gene. (July 19, 1992). Wrestling With Himself : Olympic Champion John Smith Blocks Out Everything Else, Then Beats Everyone Else. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  8. ^ Abbott, Gary (November 19, 2004). "Smith vs. Sarkissian is the new "Bout of the Week"". content.usawmembership.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "John Smith - 2018-19 Wrestling Coaching Staff - Oklahoma State University". okstate.com. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  10. ^ "John Smith". okstate.com.
  11. ^ "Class of 1997". April 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Smith, John W. | 2020".
  13. ^ "Joe Smith - 2019-20 - Wrestling - Oklahoma State University Athletics". Okstate.com. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Playing first base? That's nothing for J.T. Realmuto, former QB/power forward/shortstop/wrestler - South Florida Sun Sentinel - South Florida Sun-Sentinel". March 22, 2017.
[edit]
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