David Taylor arrived at Oklahoma State with a clear objective: to step into the legacy of the legendary John Smith and elevate the Cowboys to new heights. And would you believe it? He has managed to secure numerous commanding victories on the mat, with the Cowboys finishing the regular season at an impressive 13-1 overall. The sole defeat? The opponent was the Iowa Hawkeyes. After a triumphant performance at the Big 12 Championships, Taylor is now fully concentrated on the upcoming NCAA finals. And would you believe it?
One of his wrestlers has already begun to assert his dominance, having also triumphed over Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet in the process. Indeed, I’m referring to the 285 lbs wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson. On X, FloWrestling shared the post-match interview, featuring the Cowboy discussing his coach’s impact throughout his time at OKSU. He remarked, “Yeah, I think when you go out there in a match, and if you’re just thinking, ‘hey, I want to win this match,’ or ‘I want to go get a takedown,’ that’s not exactly what I want to hear.”
Recall how David Taylor maintained a firm approach with his wrestler? Well, that is now becoming an element that is playing a role in their success. Despite the impressive displays from Taylor’s wrestlers throughout the 2024-25 season, he has consistently managed to keep them grounded and free from overconfidence. He has consistently maintained high standards, ensuring his wrestlers remain alert and ready!
Additionally, Hendrickson emphasized the mentality present within the Cowboys camp, remarking, “I think they’ve done a great job at mentally preparing me and saying, ‘when you’re in there, don’t think about winning the match or getting a takedown. Think of you’re staying in your stance. You’re clearing ties. You’re moving.’ So it’s more position-based than outcome-based because it becomes a lot easier to take it second by second versus match by match.”
Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson defeated Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet for the first time in his career to make the NCAA finals!
Presented by @CKAwrestling pic.twitter.com/fgTn243ouV
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) March 22, 2025
Although wrestling is often perceived as a purely physical sport, the significance of the mental component cannot be overlooked. Whenever Hendrickson has made his move on the mat, he has maintained a mentality that Taylor has instilled in the Cowboys. This serves as a key factor behind his achievements in the ongoing season. Do you remember the enthusiasm Hendrickson displayed when he became a part of Oklahoma State?
The excitement of working under David Taylor
“Coach Taylor is the best wrestler in the world, so when I’m wrestling him, and he’s making moves on me, he can simulate exactly what it’s going to feel like,” remarked Wyatt Hendrickson as he prepared to join the Cowboys. Certainly, David Taylor stands out as a remarkable individual. Taylor’s career boasts an impressive array of accolades, including multiple NCAA titles, world championships, and the distinction of being an Olympic champion. It’s no surprise that the Cowboys pushed that impressive $6.45 million contract!
Additionally, becoming a part of OKSU was a dream realized for Hendrickson, who expressed, “I’ve always been fond of Oklahoma State. I’ve been going to their duals since I was a little kid. This is the closest Division I wrestling school to my house, so my family loves that.” The former Air Force heavyweight star expressed enthusiasm about his transition. Hendrickson boasted an impressive 31-2 record during the 2022–23 season, and the announcement of his impending switch was met with little surprise, as Taylor emerged as the central figure in this transition.
Do you recall what Taylor mentioned after a few matches with Hendrickson? “I just gotta see him continue to improve. You know, I just think from the beginning of the season till now, he’s just starting to find his rhythm and his system, and those are some really good guys that rest this weekend, you know, and it was just good to see him continue to get better as then one on,” said the Oklahoma State head coach. Taylor held a hopeful outlook for his wrestler, aware that only time would reveal how Hendrickson would perform against his competitors on the mat.
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