John Smith

August 09, 1965 - Present

Over a six-year span, which started while he was still a student at Oklahoma State, John Smith was the best wrestler in the world. He now ranks alongside other Distinguished Members whose names emerge in any discussion of "the greatest American wrestler ever."

Although that distinction is arguable, Smith's career record is not. Partly because of opportunity, but primarily because of skill, it is beyond comparison. From 1986 through 1992, Smith won:

*   Two Olympic gold medals. He was the first American to do so in 80 years, and both of his golds came against the world's best.
*   Four World titles. No other American has won more than three.
*   Six consecutive world-class championships. No other American has won more than two in a row.
*   Two gold medals in the Pan American Games, in two attempts.
*   Two gold medals in the Goodwill Games, in two attempts.
*   Five national Freestyle championships, in five attempts.
*   Two NCAA crowns and 90 consecutive collegiate victories.

He became the first wrestler to be voted the James E. Sullivan Award as America's outstanding athlete, the first American to be chosen Master of Technique and Wrestler of the Year by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA), and the first wrestler ever nominated for the World Trophy, which he received in 1992.

Smith's international record was 100-5, and his domestic freestyle record was 77-3. Combined with his collegiate totals of 154-7-2 and his high school marks of 105-5, he competed 458 times for his school, club, or country and won 436 times, for a success rate above 95 percent.

Smith retired from competition after the Olympics in Barcelona and two years later coached Oklahoma State to the NCAA team title.

One of the greatest athletes of the 20th Century, John William Smith is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
1997
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National

All American Awards:

Season
1988
School
Oklahoma State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
134
Place
1
Season
1987
School
Oklahoma State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
134
Place
1
Season
1985
School
Oklahoma State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
134
Place
2

College Season Records:

Season
1988
School
Oklahoma State
Class
Senior
Bouts
47
Wins
47
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
19
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
1987
School
Oklahoma State
Class
Junior
Bouts
44
Wins
43
Losses
1
Ties
0
Falls
8
Win PCT.
97.73
Place
1st
Season
1985
School
Oklahoma State
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
39
Wins
36
Losses
3
Ties
0
Falls
7
Win PCT.
92.31
Place
2nd
Season
1984
School
Oklahoma State
Class
Freshman
Bouts
33
Wins
28
Losses
3
Ties
2
Falls
6
Win PCT.
84.85
Place
DNP
Season
Career
Bouts
163
Wins
154
Losses
7
Ties
2
Falls
40
Win PCT.
94.48

All Coaching Dual Records:

Season
2011
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
15
Losses
2
Ties
1
Win PCT.
83.33
Season
2010
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
15
Losses
2
Ties
1
Win PCT.
83.33
Season
2009
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
22
Wins
16
Losses
6
Ties
0
Win PCT.
72.73
Season
2008
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
16
Losses
3
Ties
1
Win PCT.
80
Season
2007
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
19
Wins
14
Losses
5
Ties
0
Win PCT.
73.68
Season
2006
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
16
Losses
2
Ties
0
Win PCT.
88.89
Season
2005
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
21
Wins
21
Losses
0
Ties
0
Win PCT.
100
Season
2004
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
19
Wins
17
Losses
2
Ties
0
Win PCT.
89.47
Season
2003
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
17
Wins
17
Losses
0
Ties
0
Win PCT.
100
Season
2002
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
23
Wins
20
Losses
3
Ties
0
Win PCT.
86.96
Season
2001
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
17
Losses
1
Ties
0
Win PCT.
94.44
Season
2000
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
18
Wins
12
Losses
5
Ties
1
Win PCT.
66.67
Season
1999
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
23
Wins
23
Losses
0
Ties
0
Win PCT.
100
Season
1998
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
20
Losses
0
Ties
0
Win PCT.
100
Season
1997
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
21
Wins
21
Losses
0
Ties
0
Win PCT.
100
Season
1996
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
19
Wins
15
Losses
3
Ties
1
Win PCT.
78.95
Season
1995
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
17
Wins
13
Losses
3
Ties
1
Win PCT.
76.47
Season
1994
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
14
Wins
13
Losses
1
Ties
0
Win PCT.
92.86
Season
1993
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
11
Wins
4
Losses
7
Ties
0
Win PCT.
36.36
Season
1992
School
Oklahoma State
Division
Division I
Duals
7
Wins
7
Losses
0
Ties
0
Win PCT.
100
Season
Career
Duals
363
Wins
312
Losses
45
Ties
6
Win PCT.
85.95

All Rankings:

Season
1988
Rank Date
03/17/1988
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1988
Rank Date
03/07/1988
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1988
Rank Date
02/22/1988
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1988
Rank Date
02/08/1988
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1988
Rank Date
01/25/1988
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1988
Rank Date
12/31/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1988
Rank Date
12/14/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1988
Rank Date
11/16/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
03/06/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
03/19/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
02/16/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
02/02/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
01/19/1987
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
12/29/1986
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
12/08/1986
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1987
Rank Date
11/10/1986
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1986
Rank Date
11/11/1985
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1985
Rank Date
02/11/1985
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State
Season
1985
Rank Date
02/25/1985
Weight
134
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma State

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