Friday, February 04, 2000
St. X wrestler closes in on record
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The St. Xavier career record of 118 wrestling victories, set by Josh Robbins, is one that Bomber coach Dick Murphy assumed would hold up for a long time. Scott Smith Jr., a St. X senior who won his 100th career match two weeks ago, has other ideas.
With only three dual meets remaining before the Greater Catholic League tournament, Smith could be at 107 victories at the start of the sectional tournament.
To have a chance, Smith needs at least four victories in the sectional, district and state meets. This can only be accomplished by either winning the state championship while finishing at least third in every tournament.
“I'm after Josh's record but it won't be easy,” Smith said. “I made it to the second round at state last year and lost to the eventual champion. I'd like another shot at him.”
Smith was referring to two-time state champion Mark Jayne from Lakewood St. Edward, the No. 1 ranked 125 pounder in the U.S. who has lost only once the past two years and only three times during a brilliant career.
“Scott comes from a family with a great wrestling tradition,” Murphy said. “His father, Scott Sr., wrestled for Elder and finished finished fifth in the state meet in 1978.”
Five years after graduating from college, Smith Sr., now a scientist for Proctor and Gamble, founded the St. Aloysius Youth Wrestling Club This is where Scott Jr. first got involved when four.
After watching wrestler-after-wrestler come out of the St. Aloysius program and continue on to a successful high school career, Murphy approached Smith Sr. about becoming an assistant at St. Xavier.
Smith immediately accepted the position 10 years ago and has played an important role in the success of the St. X program.
“Dad has been my coach since I was four-years-old,” Smith said. “Everyday during practice, we go after each other and neither of us holds back. He's always giving me pointers which has made me a better wrestler.
There's only one way that Smith knows to wrestle and it's all offense the entire six minutes of the match.
Blessed with outstanding quickness, Smith has used this speed to pin 17 of 26 opponents this year.
“Matt is a force on the mat,” Murphy said. “He destroyed every opponent at the All Catholic Tournament and people were in awe. Scott's on every opponent from the time the whistle blows and never lets up.”
Smith's toughest battle has been with holding weight.
“Several times I thought about quitting because cutting weight is tough,” Smith said. “But once I get into a match and win, I know that it was worth the effort.”
Under Ohio High School Athletic Association rules, wrestlers can add two pounds in January which allows Smith to perform at 127 pounds the remainder of the season.
“When a guy's in your face like Scott, quickness becomes a devastating force,” Murphy said. “Scott is as mentally tough as he is physically. He doesn't walk on the mat thinking about losing.”
Smith would like to wrestle in college but few colleges have expressed interest. If he can pull the upset over Jayne or finish second at the state tournament, recruiters will be knocking on his door.
“Ohio is one of the top four states for wrestling,” Murphy said. “If Scott finishes high, he'll be considered one of the top 10 wrestler in the country in his weight class.”
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