FEATURE: Coleman Scott reaches U.S. Nationals finals just weeks after NCAA victory

Five weeks ago, Oklahoma State senior Coleman Scott reached a personal goal, when he won the NCAA Div. I individual title on the center mat in St. Louis, Mo. He stunned the crowd by scoring a quick pin in the championship finals.

At the post-event press conference, Scott talked about his Olympic goals and his desire win the U.S. National Championships in April. With three wins on Saturday morning at the Las Vegas Convention Center, he has put himself in position to do just that. Scott has reached the U.S. Nationals finals, where he will face Shawn Bunch of the New York AC.

"I have always loved freestyle," said Scott. "I do it every summer. It has been easy for me to transition. There are not a lot of changes for me."

Olympic and World champion John Smith, who coached Scott at Oklahoma State and is also his freestyle coach with the Gator WC, was impressed with his performance today.

"He didn't have a lot of time. He stayed consistent since the NCAA Championships in his preparation. Nothing is different for him. We focused on what he needed to change from college wrestling to freestyle. We worked on his mat positioning and his head position," said Smith

One of the reasons that Scott was able to succeed so quickly are the numerous Senior level wrestlers training in Stillwater, including Daniel Cormier, Tyrone Lewis, Zack Esposito and others.

"I have made the jump from college to wrestling the big guys here," said Scott. "They helped me in practice and in training. I listen to them. I have watched them have good success."

Scott also credits Smith for providing the support and experience that has made his jump to the Big Time possible.

"John Smith has done everything in wrestling, winning Olympic and World titles. He has achieved everything available. To have him supporting me, telling me what to do, is a good feeling," said Scott.

Scott had a tremendous performance in the semifinals, defeating top-seeded Zach Roberson of the Sunkist Kids, 0-2, 2-0, 4-1. Scott was able to get a number of leg attacks to work in the periods that he won.

"I was a little tentative in the first period. I came out in the second and third period, and I knew I could take him down. I was able to do that in those periods," said Scott.

Smith praised Scott for his poise competing against freestyle wrestlers with more experience.

"I like the way he wrestled, especially after he took a lead. He seemed to have a mat awareness about what he needed to do. He paid close attention to his attacks," said Smith.

Scott is the new kid in the weight class, and has not faced Bunch, as well as many of the others in the bracket. He considers this to be an advantage for him

"I haven't wrestled anybody. I was in college for four years. They don't know much about me. I am a young guy. I was lucky to be seeded here. I am looking forward to being on the stage tonight," said Scott.

Even with a win tonight, Scott will have a challenging road at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The top two ranked wrestlers in his division, Mike Zadick and Nate Gallick, did not enter. Smith knows that the road to making the Olympic Team will be difficult for Scott, but believes he has the talent and confidence to make it happen.

"There is a lot of experience there. For him to be successful, he has to raise his attitude and what he thinks of himself," said Smith.