2012 bronze medalist talks about his experience wrestling in London, what’s next.  

Thumbnail photo is courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics

STILLWATER - Former Oklahoma State wrestler Coleman Scott won an Olympic bronze medal in the freestyle 60 kg weight class at the 2012 London Games last Saturday. On Wednesday morning, he was back home in Stillwater, where he visited Cowboy football practice and talked about his Olympic experience and what’s next:  

On what it feels like to be an Olympic bronze medalist:

“Good, but not as good as gold medalist, but I definitely saved face and came back with something, so it was good.”  

On the process of getting to the Olympics:

“Huge process. It was an odd situation, to say the least, to make the team. We had to go through a lot of ups and downs just to get there. Then once we got there, I knew being here with Coach Smith and Coach Monday I would be prepared. That’s the mindset I went in there with, knowing that I was ready and that’s the way we went with it.”  

On what he’s learned with John Smith as his mentor:       

“He’s just a winner. He knows how to win. He’s a great guy and you trust what he says. And that’s what I did. I just listened. I listened all year and he led me the right way and I knew he would. That’s the best thing that I did.”  

On his most memorable moment from the Olympics:

“Probably the emotion of John and my family. The happiness they had after it all happened - the little bit I could give back to them. That means the most to me.  

On what was going through his head as he took the mat for his first Olympic match:

“Nothing hit me until then - until I walked out for that first match. Everything hit me and I got a little bit emotional and I didn’t wrestle real well. I guess I didn’t prepare for that as much as I should have. I just put it to the wayside and said ‘that ain’t going to happen to me’ and it did. It was an unbelievable experience. The tournament was awesome and exciting. I couldn’t ask for anything better but bringing back a gold medal.”  

On what’s next for him:

“Keep training. Take about a week or two off and then just go train. We have World Championships in a year and tournaments throughout the year and then Rio in four. We’ll really have fun there.”  

On if the experience has set in:

“Not really. I’m still really motivated and driven. I want to win. I’m not satisfied with third so that’s really what I’m looking at.”