Taking a Timeout with Will Rowe

April 2, 2008

NORMAN, Okla.--Junior Will Rowe, a captain for the 2007-08 squad, helped guide the Sooners to a 14-5 regular season record, their best since 2004. His junior campaign included a 26-9 record and a third place finish at the Big 12 Championships.

After advancing to the NCAA's, Rowe came within one match of becoming an All-American. SoonerSports.com caught up with the Arlington, Texas, native this week about his thoughts on the season, as well as his future expectations for the OU wrestling program.

Q. Looking back on the regular season, how would you evaluate the team's success?

A. "I think that the regular season was kind of rough on us--this whole year was rough. We didn't achieve what we wanted at all because we were all looking for something special. We are at OU because we expect to be a great program. Beating OSU was a huge highlight for us. I am going to have that memory forever and everyone is going to remember this team and that we ended a 19-year losing streak."

Q. What are your thoughts on how the team ended the postseason?

A. "I think we had a team that was just as talented as any other team that competed. You had No. 3 OSU, who we beat in the final dual of the season. We went to the Big 12 Championships and it seemed like guys were not ready for that kind of competition and weren't up for it. We definitely have a lot of learn. A lot of the guys on this team are young and the more times you compete in that tournament the better off you will be. The more experience we gain will help us better understand how to be successful in the future."

Q. Coming within one match of becoming All-American, how does that motivate you in the off-season?

A. "It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth knowing I got so close to something I worked so hard for. I do work hard and I go home and never stop talking about wrestling or thinking about it. That is the negative part about it. The good part is I can take that into next year knowing I can get to that point. My goals are not to just shoot for something I have already achieved. It is to aim even higher than that. I am confident I am going to be an All-American next year and I am going to work hard enough to be one. It is the next step of wanting to be a national champion."

Q. What are certain aspects you are going to work on this offseason?

A. "I think one of my weaknesses is my physical ability. I need to be stronger or faster than the guys I am wrestling. I feel like I know a lot of techniques and I have endurance. I am going to go hard the whole time. But to be a national champion, you have to have everything and more of it than anyone else."

Q. You are going to be the lone-senior in the starting lineup next season, how much will your role change as a leader?

A. "I think I like being in that kind of position. I like when guys look to me and it gives me more confidence in my own wrestling. In terms of guys looking to me, our freshmen this year all worked hard. I don't have to tell them to do too much. If anything, I will help the new guys coming in, but I think everyone knows what is expected of them."

Q. What is the best aspect of wrestling at Oklahoma?

A. "For me, I grew up wanting to be an OU wrestler. I came to camps every summer and looked up to Michael Lightner. Now, here I am getting to hang out with him every day. I looked up to Jeremy Spates and Robbie Waller when I was little and going to Big 12 championships and watching them win. That is probably the coolest part for me."

Q. What are your expectations for the team next year?

A. "I think the mindset of the team right now is that we are going to focus on wrestling a kind of style where everyone is giving everything they have. We are not happy with how we did this year and what happened. Everybody has already decided that we are making changes, even the minute changes, that are going to make us national champions and a great program. We want to win all of our Big 12 matches next year and want to be in contingency for the Big 12 championship. We want to put ourselves back on the map."

Q. Talk about the young guys on the team, and how they will continue to impact the team?

A. "Young guys were playmakers this year. Joey Fio beat the defending national champion in Paul Donahoe of Nebraska and beat other All-Americans. We have Jeff James who was within one point of the defending national champion this year. Those are the hardest working guys on the team. Then, you have Ryan Smith coming in next year at 165 pounds who is tough as nails. We have a strong foundation of freshmen who are going to be sophomores next year and who know how to compete."

Q. After your wrestling career is over at OU, what are your plans?

A. "I always ask myself that, and I don't know if I will ever be done with wrestling. I want to keep being active in wrestling one way or another. I would love being a coach. At this point, I am clueless. My major is communications so I can go anywhere with that."

Q. How do you define success?

"Doing more than what was expected of you, as well as more than you expected out of yourself."

Q. What was the food item you were most looking forward to eating after the season ended?

A. "I went on a week-long Mexican food binge. I love Ted's in particular. The past three days I have eaten at New York Pizza. I walk in and they say `You're here again?'"

Q. Talk about the renovations to the wrestling facilities and how they will benefit the team in the future.

A. "Adding new facilities is going allow us to recruit great wrestlers. It is always nicer and more exciting to work out when you have nice equipment and rooms. It will definitely help the program and we are appreciative of what they have done for us."

Q. If you could pick out any car to drive, what would it be?

A. "A Brigitte Vayron because it is the fastest car on the planet. I always ask my girlfriend if she can even imagine my Nascar abilities with that kind of car. I would be on the America's most wanted."

Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?

"I would love to go to Hawaii, or any place with clear water that you can see the bottom of the ocean floor. That would be nice because I love the beach and being warm."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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