Chandler Rogers should boost OSU lineup
STILLWATER — Chandler Rogers was angry.
At least that was Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith's take on it after he told Rogers last Sunday that he wouldn't be wrestling in the 165pound match against Lehigh.
But with OSU in control of the match, Smith decided at the last minute to hold out his injured star one more week, just to be safe.
“He was mad,” Smith said with a smile. “He was upset at me, which I liked. You like him to want to be out there. That's OK.”
Rogers hasn't wrestled since suffering an injury Jan. 2. Ranked No. 10 at 165, Rogers wants to be back on the mat. The Stillwater native earned All-America status as a sophomore and was the Big 12 champ last year.
Now a senior, he wants to finish strong. And Smith fully expects Rogers to be back on the mat when the No. 2 Cowboys host Air Force at 7 p.m. Friday at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
“The concern was where he was mentally,” Smith said of Rogers' mindset while he was injured. “Was he ready to go off into the sunset with his wife and call it a day? Or are you coming back and fighting for a championship?
“I've had seniors who just kind of said good-bye, but I think he wants a little bit more than that and I'm glad he's showing that.”
Over the last several weeks, OSU has been without three past All-Americans in Rogers, Boo Lewallen and Preston Weigel. Lewallen tried to return two weeks ago and reinjured his shoulder, ending his season at 149 pounds.
Weigel is expected to suit up at 197 on Friday, but the future of that position could be in question with Dakota Geer, the sophomore transfer from Edinboro, holding a No. 10 ranking after moving up from 184 to fill Weigel's spot.
“I didn't feel too undersized at 197,” Geer said. “I feel like I was a pretty decent-sized 184-pounder. There's been a couple stronger guys, obviously. But not having to cut weight is nice. I feel like I have more energy up there.
“Injuries happen, but we have a great team. I feel like the guys who come in after somebody gets injured do a great job of stepping in place and doing exactly what they have to do to get the team to where we need to be.”