Despite its rather undesirable record thus far in the 2015-16 season, the Oswego State wrestling team enjoyed strong performances from Troy Seymour and Dan Smith over winter break.
Seymour, a sophomore, and the blossoming freshman, Smith, each went undefeated at the Budd Whitehill Division III Duals, one of two duals the Lakers competed in at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania during winter recess.
During the two-day event, Seymour put up a perfect 5-0 record. This included an impressive victory against seventh-ranked opponent, Derek Heitz of Messiah College, in a 10-1 major decision at the 174-pound weight class. Seymour kept Heitz in mind.
“I knew he was ranked going into it, but it didn’t bother me that much,” Seymour said. “It was definitely in the back of my mind, though…I just tried to stay focused.”
The victory, while certainly the highlight of his weekend in Williamsport, must not shadow his other four dominant wins. Seymour took command in each of his six matches over the two days, winning by either major decision or fall in all five of his victories.
He said his performance was in response to a not-so glamorous showing in the NY/PA Duals, also in Williamsport just one week prior.
“I had lost a match the weekend before,” Seymour said. “It was the first since we got back from break. So I really wanted to bounce back from that.”
The sophomore certainly did bounce back, as his undefeated performance in the Budd Whitehill Duals gave him an impressive overall record in the two duals of 6-1 for the week.
With the performance, Seymour improved his overall record to 24-6 on the year heading into Wednesday’s match against Alfred State. His teammate, Dan Smith, also improved his record on the season as he commanded the mat at the Budd Whitehills, as well.
The freshman posted up a 4-0 record in his matches at the duals, including a lopsided technical fall victory over Evan Hickey of Ohio Northern College, 18-1. Smith also shut out his opponent Samie Al-Ziab of Springfield College, 14-0.
Reflecting on his success thus far in his first season, Smith seems to be growing accustomed to wrestling at the NCAA level.
“I think I’ve improved a lot since the beginning,” Smith said. “It’s definitely been a process.”
Smith, weighing in at 197 pounds, is in the highest weight class on the team, tied with only teammate Kade Andrews.
For any wrestler, maintaining your weight to within five pounds of what you are listed at is vital. The task of doing this can be difficult, especially for wrestlers like Smith who weigh in heavier than others.
Smith is able to maintain his weight through diet and training.
“It actually isn’t as difficult as you think, but training is key,” Smith said. “I find myself losing most of the weight I gained through training anyway.”
“The coaches do a great job of working with us [on training technique],” Seymour said. “It isn’t so much keeping our diet in check…Here [practice] is where the work is put in.”
In addition to training and practice, the two wrestlers agreed that the environment in the locker room plays its own special role in their success.
“Right from when we started, I felt at home here,” Smith said. “Coming to a new school you think of how you’re going to fit in…We all get along really well and help each other out.”
“That’s what’s special about this team, we’re always messing around and having a good time,” Seymour said. “But at the same time, we all work really hard and we’re really close. You don’t see that much; it’s definitely special.”
With an impressive combined record on 39-10 on the season, Seymour and Smith look to continue riding the wave of success with just two events left in the season.
