Jacobe Smith heard his coach from the other side of the mat at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith yelled at Smith, “You better up your level right now, because this guy is a wrestler.”
Seconds later, Smith had Dylan Barreiro’s back on the orange mat in the first period. It was the No. 5 Cowboys’ second pin in their 42-3 win against Kent State on Sunday.
“As soon as he said that, the attitude came across me, and I just had to get ahold of him,” Smith said. “’Pin him,’ basically. “
Smith popped up off the mat and flexed, smiling at John Smith.