Black Diamond grappler signs with UCO
Sallisaw Black Diamonds wrestler Cole Mayfield wanted to be a collegiate wrestler, and after just one “John Hancock,” he is going to become one.
Mayfield signed a letter of intent with the University of Central Oklahoma on Wednesday morning at Paul Post Field House.
“It’s close to home,” Mayfield said about one of many reasons he wanted to sign with the Bronchos. “I’ve always grown up watching them (the Bronchos). (UCO) Coach (Todd) Steidley is a great coach. (Sallisaw) Coach (Mark) Smith is friends with him. I’ve heard a lot of good things about him (Steidley). The program is great. They’re ranked No. 2 in the country (in NCAA Division II). The last two years, they’ve been national champs. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help keep up that streak.”
Ever since he was the age of a kindergartener, Mayfield knew he wanted to be a collegiate wrestler. Now he is thrilled to have the opportunity to fulfill his dream.
“I’m so excited,” Mayfield said. “I’ve grown up watching collegiate wrestling on television. I’ve dreamed ever since I started wrestling at 5 years old to wrestle at the collegiate level, and being successful in life is the greatest thing. It’s more than wrestling. It’s about being successful in life and being a role model for the smaller kids — growing up and showing them that they can be that, too.”
“I’ve had a chance to watch him grow up a little bit, too,” Smith said. “Even before Sallisaw (after coming from Warner), I was around Cole quite a bit. I got to coach him a little bit. He’s the kind of kid that’s enjoyable to watch move to that next level. He’s earned it. He does things the right way. To me, that’s a big thing. That’s going to pay off at the next level. You’ll see some kids sign, and it’s because of athletic ability and not necessarily because of work habits. He’s got the work habits, and I think it’s going to show once he gets to the next level. His work habits will carry over. He’s always been dedicated to the sport. Wrestling takes a lot of commitment, and he’s got that commitment level. He’s going to do fine.”
Before it’s all said and done on Mayfield’s high school career, he can be a three-peater as a state champion — doing so as a sophomore for the Warner Eagles and as a junior as a Black Diamond. He believes his prep career will help him prepare for his collegiate career, but he also knows the difference between high school wrestling and collegiate wrestling is like night and day “High school level to collegiate level is a lot different,” Mayfield said. “Obviously, they’re more mature and stronger. They know what they’re doing. Not everyone is just a pushover. Some kids are just out there to have fun, but it’s definitely not going to be a pushover. Practice is going to be where it will make the difference. I know he (Steidley) is going to prepare me for that. I’m always excited for new competition.”
“I’ve talked with Coach Steidley,” Smith said. “They’re super excited about having him. They know the talent he is, and the upside he still has. He has a chance to get a lot better, too. He’s got a chance to come away in high school as a threetime state champion. That doesn’t happen every year for any program. We want to have as many of those guys as we can get. For me, he’ll be my first (three-time state champion).”
