Notebook: John Smith, Nick Piccininni Preview Big 12 Wrestling Championships

It looks like the Cowboys will be at full strength at the right time. It has been two weeks since Oklahoma State’s wrestling team took the mat, but this weekend’s Big 12 Championships at the BOK Center in Tulsa will give OSU an opportunity to work out some kinks and get back into action.

The Cowboys have won the past five Big 12 championships, some of which were by record-breaking margins. This season, however, the Cowboys have only three wrestlers (Piccininni, Preston Weigel and Derek White) projected to win their bracket. Northern Iowa also has three wrestlers seeded first.

Nick Piccininni and coach John Smith spoke to the media on Tuesday. Here’s what they had to say ahead of the Cowboys’ weekend in Tulsa.

The starting lineup is beginning to solidify

Jacobe Smith and Preston Wiegel have missed much of the season with injuries, but Smith’s decision to hold them out seems to have paid off. John Smith said both will be in the lineup this weekend.

Jacobe Smith hasn’t wrestled a non-OSU opponent since injuring his leg against Missouri on Jan. 27, and Weigel has been in and out of the lineup for much of the season. He last wrestled against Northern Iowa on Dec. 3, but is the top-ranked 197-pounder in the bracket.

Smith said both have been doing well in the mat room and added Weigel probably could have wrestled against Fresno. With that said, he believes it was a good decision to grant him some extra rest. There could be concern about rust after such a long break from action, but Smith insists that won’t be an issue.

“You can turn it on when you need to turn it on, and that’s the way you look at it,” Smith said. “I’ve had guys that have been out two months and win championships. You don’t necessarily need competition, unless you’re young and inexperienced, and I don’t think either one of those guys are young and inexperienced.”

Smith also said he was leaning toward starting Keegan Moore at 184 pounds, and said they hadn’t decided on who will wrestle at 157 between Tristan Moran and Jonce Blaylock.

Piccininni’s consistency, confidence has led to success

Piccininni is 8-0 against Big 12 opponents this season, a good sign as he attempts to defend his conference title. Now a sophomore, Piccininni has the task of going through what might be the toughest bracket in the tournament.

Utah Valley’s Taylor LaMont is ranked second in the bracket but eighth nationally. Three other wrestlers (WVU’s Zeke Moisey, OU’s Christian Moody and UNI’s Jay Schwarm) are also ranked in the nation’s top 20.

“If anyone on our team is consistent, it’s him,” Smith said. “From the standpoint of emotional, stepping on the mat, being really consistent. How he performs and what he looks like. He’s at a very tough weight class.

“So he’s got a chance to wrestle a really tough tournament before the NCAA Championships, which will help him.”

Although Piccininni is the top-ranked 125-pounder in the Big 12, he took a stand for his teammates that aren’t, saying the projections and rankings don’t matter. Rather, the outside chatter can be used as motivation.

“Personally, I think we all know what we’re capable of doing,” Piccininni said. “Doesn’t matter what the media has to say, or what people project us. I think everyone in the lineup knows exactly what we’re capable of doing. So I think we’re gonna surprise some people who speculated a certain kind of outcomes and seeds and stuff like that. I think we’re ready, I think we’re gonna shock people.”

The location of the Big 12 Championships is advantageous for OSU

During a season in which the Cowboys had a ridiculous amount of travel, they won’t have to go far this weekend. It’ll be a relatively short bus ride to Tulsa on Friday, which is a welcome thought after traveling to New York, North Dakota, California and Rome during the year.

“When you’re home, it’s always fun,” Piccininni said. “Tulsa is home; it’s home home for us. Right down the road, and we get a good crowd. It’s a good feeling.”

Smith gave credit to the sports commission staff at the BOK Center, saying the Big 12 wrestling coaches enjoy the environment it brings, which has led to a deal that has the venue hosting this event for the next couple of seasons.

“I don’t think any of that would have happened if coaches didn’t enjoy the event and really feel like Big 12 wrestling can grow there,” Smith said. “Yeah, it was great. It’s good for us and exciting for us.”