The Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling team stands as the most decorated NCAA Division I athletic program in history. Boasting 34 team NCAA national championships, 145 individual NCAA national championships, and 494 All-American honors as of 2024-25, the Cowboys have cemented their legacy in the sport. Their dominance extends to conference titles, with 56 championships across the Southwest, Missouri Valley, Big Eight, and Big 12 conferences.
Among the many talented wrestlers who have donned the Oklahoma State colors, Mike Sheets stands out as a true legend. His collegiate career is etched in the university's record books, marked by exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication.
Early Years and Collegiate Success
As a freshman in college, Mike Sheets wrestled two weights above his natural weight class and earned All-America honors, starting a collegiate career that stands among the greatest ever in the Oklahoma State University record books.
Sheets was a major surprise as a freshman, finishing seventh in the nation. He competed at 167 pounds and won two national titles for the Cowboys and was a four-time All-American.
Prior to his collegiate success, Sheets honed his skills at Tahlequah High School, where he amassed a 109-6-1 record and secured two state titles. Notably, one of his draws was against Kenny Monday, a future Oklahoma State star who won his other 140 high school matches.
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Despite his impressive high school record, Sheets was not heavily recruited by major college wrestling programs. However, his heart was set on Oklahoma State. "When I was in elementary school and junior high, I knew OSU was the place I wanted to be. It's where I always wanted to wrestle, my big dream," he said.
Sheets' journey to the top was not without its challenges. After wrestling at 148 pounds as a high school senior, he initially expected to compete at 150 pounds for the Cowboys. However, with talented wrestlers like Matt Skove and Ricky Stewart already in those weight classes, Sheets found himself competing at 167 pounds.
Despite often being the smaller wrestler in his weight class, Sheets used his superior conditioning and quickness to his advantage. "At 167," he said, "I feel like I'm always in better shape than the other guy, and possibly quicker."
Last year he was not a surprise, however, as he defeated eventual-champion Schultz twice before the national tournament. His big dream now is to win an NCAA title. The dream barely eluded him last year, as he lost to Schultz on a criteria decision after the bout had ended 4-4 in regulation and 1-1 in overtime.
Sheets' success can be attributed to his relentless work ethic and unwavering determination. "I'm still not as good as I could be," said Sheets. "I'm not as good a technician as a lot of guys. I think hustle and being in better shape is to my advantage, but I don't think my skill level is high."
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His latest victory came Thursday night, when he superior decisioned Kentucky's Bryan Boone 18-3 during the Cowboys' 41-0 dual meet victory at Gallagher Hall. It was the 11-0 Cowboys' fourth straight shutout, just one short of the school record since in 1949.
Sheets, who finished second in last year's NCAA meet, was an obvious No. 1 pick this season. That's because last year's 167-pound champ was senior Dave Schultz of Oklahoma.
Only one surprise remains: OSU was the only major college wrestling power to recruit Sheets.
Today, Dr. Mike Sheets is one of the smallest 167-pounders in college wrestling. He also is the best. Though he has been outweighed in nearly all of his matches, the Oklahoma State junior from Tahlequah is 19-0 this season and ranked No. 1 by Amateur Wrestling News.
But if the rankings were based on size, the 5-10 Sheets wouldn't be in the top 100. "Usually after practice, I weigh between 158 and 162," Sheets said Thursday. "So I don't have any trouble making weight." He wouldn't have any trouble "pulling" to a lower weight, either.
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"But I've never even thought about that," said Sheets, a B student in animal science who plans on becoming a veterinarian like his father. "I feel like I can be more beneficial for myself and for the team by staying at 167."
And I feel like I have a better attitude since I don't have to pull a lot of weight. It might affect me mentally. And we have a good wrestler (Midlands runnerup Matt Skove) at 158, anyway."
Until this season, Sheets always has been an undersized underdog for OSU.
After wrestling at 148 pounds as a high school senior, he came to OSU expecting to compete at 150. But at that weight the Cowboys had Skove, a transfer who had won 50 of 54 matches and a Southeastern Conference title at Georgia. And at 158 was Ricky Stewart, who was to become a two-time NCAA champ.
So, 167 it was, and is. "At 167," he said, "I feel like I'm always in better shape than the other guy, and possibly quicker. Back then (as a freshman) we had eight-minute matches (instead of the seven-minute bouts which went to affect last season), and I think that helped me."
Against bigger people I just felt like I could get in there and ride 'em and zap their energy. That way I could pick up points toward the end of the match."
And since I was always wrestling against bigger guys, I always kind of had something to prove to myself."
Only one surprise remains: OSU was the only major college wrestling power to recruit Sheets.
Sheets, whose father has a veterinary practice in Tahlequah, took a year off from wrestling after completing his collegiate eligibility in order to make his successful bid for veterinary school. He got his first real taste of freestyle wrestling in the spring of 1985 and soon won the National Open at Lock Haven, Pa., defeating Jim Scherr, a bronze medalist at last month's World Championships in Hungary, in the finals.
Schultz, who is not expected to be on hand this weekend, was at 198 pounds for the 1985 National Open, but has since dropped to 180 and has defeated Sheets the three times they've wrestled.
"I think I just need to concentrate on my technique a little bit more," Sheets said of any future meetings with Schultz, a former NCAA champion at Oklahoma. "He's better technically, sounder in freestyle than I am."
There are some things I need to work on changing over from collegiate to freestyle, but I think I have the right people to work with, like (OSU aide) Lee Roy Smith, who has helped a lot in converting my style."
Sheets drills with Smith most mornings at 7 o'clock, but other than that it's difficult to find much practice time with his school load.
"I think it's probably one of hardest things I've ever done," he said of veterinary school, "but I really didn't think of anything else I'd rather do."
I don't know if my shape's gonna be up to par, but I'm really looking forward to wrestling in Gallagher Hall."
Olympic Aspirations and Veterinary Pursuits
After finishing his undergraduate education, Sheets turned his attention to his lifelong goal of becoming a veterinarian. However, he couldn’t quite shake off his passion for wrestling.
He was able to pause his veterinary studies long enough to wrestle in the 1988 Olympic Trials where he finished second and became an alternate. After the Olympics, he returned to the OSU vet school and the rest is history.
Even with his demanding academic schedule, Sheets continued to compete at a high level. "I don't know right now," Sheets said when asked about his current wrestling ambitions. "I'm just kind of wrestling as much as I can, or as much as time permits."
It puts extra stress on me as far as school and study time, so I just have to manage time a little better. The spring semester this year is supposedly one of toughest semesters I'll have. I don't know if I'll be able to wrestle this spring or not."
When the sport was No. 1 in his life, Mike Sheets was the best collegiate wrestler in the country. Now that the sport has had to take a back seat to his graduate school work, Sheets has had to settle for. . . well, just second best.
That in itself, however, is not bad considering Sheets, who just a year and a half ago had virtually no freestyle experience, is the second-best 180.5-pounder in the United States behind former world champion Mark Schultz.
He'll be in action today and Saturday in the USA Wrestling-sponsored Hall of Fame Classic in Stillwater.
Today, Dr. Mike Sheets is one of the smallest 167-pounders in college wrestling. He also is the best.
Legacy and Recognition
Mike Sheets' contributions to wrestling have not gone unnoticed. He was recognized as an Outstanding American by the Oklahoma chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
His collegiate career stands as a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication. Mike Sheets will forever be remembered as one of the greatest wrestlers to ever represent Oklahoma State University.
The Hall of Fame Classic is a qualifying event for the World Cup team. World Championships team are already on the Cup team, but can be challenged for their spots by the winners here.
World team members Andre Metzger (second at 149.5 pounds) and Barry Davis (third at 125.5) are expected to appear and a victory for them would clinch Cup spots.
Wrestling gets under way at noon today, followed by an 8 o'clock session tonight.
STILLWATER, Okla. Coaches Mike Henry, Bill Reeves, Steve Shibley, LeRoy Smith, Ray Weis and official Gordon Nelson will receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.
“We have so many great wrestling families in Oklahoma that we feel it’s important to recognize their successes and contributions to the growth of our sport,” said Oklahoma Chapter President Steve Ferguson. “This first year, we are giving it to the family considered by many in our state to be the first family of wrestling, the Smith brothers of Del City, Lee Roy, John, Pat and Mark.
The 2022 inductees will be honored on Oct. 9 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2833 Conference Drive in Edmond.
The Lifetime Service to Wrestling award is presented to coaches, officials and contributors who have devoted a minimum of 20 years of service to wrestling.
Mike Henry-Lifetime Service to Wrestling-After winning over 100 matches as a collegiate wrestler for Portland State University, Mike Henry turned his attention to coaching, spending a season in Los Alamitos, California before coming to Oklahoma.
He coached a season at Jay and a couple of seasons in Clinton before settling in Shawnee in 1981 and finding his coaching home.
He spent six years at Shawnee Junior High, compiling a dual meet record of 151-21-2. His roster consistently numbered over 90 athletes who were all able to compete across the state on A, B and C teams.