Takedown Report

How college wrestling coaches handle transfers

TDR EDitor’s Notes; An interesting story by the MatBoss Staff which is of interest to wrestling fans across the country. Enjoy!
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Jeremy Spates attended Norman (Okla.) High School and had plans to wrestle for his father Jack Spates at the University of Oklahoma. Spates, a state champion and three-time Junior All-American, spent his first year out of high school taking classes at OU and training with the Sooners’ freestyle wrestling team. The plan was for Spates to officially join the Oklahoma wrestling team the following season. That plan changed, however.One of Oklahoma’s top wrestlers at that time was Michael Lightner, an NCAA finalist who competed in the same weight class (141 pounds) as Spates. “My dad kind of talked me into going somewhere else,” said Spates. “He thought going somewhere where I could do my own thing might be best. My dad was like, ‘Well, what do you think about going somewhere else and then transferring back?'” So the plan changed. Spates was going to compete at the University of Missouri for Brian Smith, a friend of Jack Spates, for a year and then transfer back to Oklahoma to wrestle for his father. After Spates arrived at Missouri and joined the Tigers, the plan changed again.
“Once I got to Missouri I loved it,” said Spates. “I was part of that building process with Coach Smith. I didn’t end up transferring back, which is a tough discussion to have with a coach and your father.” Rest of the story at …. http://matbossapp.hs-sites.com/blog/how-college-wrestling-coaches-handle-transfers?mc_cid=a089e7884a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 19, 2017 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized