The Pokes will go head-to-head with each Big 12 team in a round-robin conference dual final on Friday; Then, the Cowboys will take to the mats Saturday for individual competition.
The Oklahoma State wrestling squad will have an action-packed weekend, hoping to improve to 13-0 overall and 4-0 in Big 12 action.
Three-time NCAA individual champion and 2004 Olympian Eric Guerrero is in his seventh year on the Oklahoma State wrestling staff. He was promoted to the role of head assistant coach prior to the 2009-10 season. During his time on staff, he has been a key figure in four of the Cowboys' NCAA team championships and seven of OSU's Big 12 team championships.
Additionally, he was selected to serve as head coach for the USA at the 2009 FILA Junior Freestyle World Championships in Ankara, Turkey and led that squad to its most successful showing in 11 years.
A talented recruiter, Guerrero was instrumental in attracting the nation's top recruiting class to Oklahoma State in 2009.
Guerrero initially joined John Smith's staff as a strength and conditioning coach in 2000-01. His work in the weight room and in conditioning helped prepare Oklahoma State for NCAA team championships in 2003 and 2004. He was promoted into the position of full-time assistant coach following the 2004 season, and the success continued as the Cowboys won their third and fourth consecutive NCAA team titles with Guerrero on board in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
The San Jose, Calif., native coached 2007 NCAA individual champion Coleman Scott, 2006 NCAA individual champions Johny Hendricks and Jake Rosholt, 2005 NCAA individual champions Zack Esposito, Hendricks, Chris Pendleton, Rosholt and Steve Mocco and assisted in the development of 2003 NCAA individual champs Johnny Thompson and Rosholt and 2004 NCAA individual champion Pendleton.
A decorated wrestler himself, Guerrero won NCAA individual championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999 at the age of 19, 20 and 21, respectively, and he represented the United States at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Guerrero was a four-time All-America in college, a four-time U.S. Open national champion and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2002 U.S. Open. Additionally, Guerrero was a two-time USA FILA junior world freestyle champion and won the 1995 USA junior freestyle championship.
As an international competitor, Guerrero made his first USA world team while he was still just a junior in college. He earned his first berth in the World Championships following his college career in 1999. Guerrero won four U.S. Open titles from 2001 to 2004, won a World Cup Championship in 2003, was a member of the U.S. World Team five consecutive years and helped the Gator Wrestling Club win three national team titles.
Guerrero compiled a 117-13 overall record during his time as a wrestler at Oklahoma State from 1996-99, highlighted by a perfect 31-0 record his senior year in which he recorded a fall, 12 technical falls and seven major decisions. He is one of only 12 four-time All-Americas in the decorated history of Oklahoma State wrestling. Additionally, he was recognized as a two-time Academic All-America selection.
With Guerrero serving as one of the team leaders, the Cowboys won 68 consecutive dual matches spanning from the last four duals of his freshman year through the end of his senior year. The Cowboys won three conference championships during Guerrero's time competing, claiming the 1996 Big 8 championship and the 1997 and 1998 Big 12 titles.
He dominated the field at the 1999 NCAA Championships, picking up bonus-point victories in his first three matches before claiming a 1-0 win over Fresno State's Stan Greene in the semifinals and a 3-1 win over Iowa State's Cody Sanderson in the title bout.
His route to the 1999 NCAA Championship was similar to his journey to the 1998 crown, as he claimed three straight bonus-point wins before a 2-1 victory over Iowa State's Dwight Hinson in the semis and a 5-4 triumph over Wisconsin's Eric Jetton for the crown.
Guerrero originally came to Stillwater after a stellar high school career at Independence HS in San Jose, Calif., that resulted in a cadet world title in 1993, first-team ASICS All-America recognition in 1994 and 1995, a junior national title in 1995 and California Male Athlete of the Year honors in 1995, among countless other accolades.
Guerrero is married to the former Kristen Blair. The couple has two children, Kaitlyn and Ishmael.
Guerrero's NCAA Team Championships 2003 - Strength and Conditioning Coach 2004 - Strength and Conditioning Coach 2005 - Assistant Coach 2006 - Assistant Coach
Big 12 Team Championships As A Coach 2001 - Oklahoma State (Strength/Conditioning) 2003 - Oklahoma State (Strength/Conditioning) 2004 - Oklahoma State (Strength/Conditioning) 2005 - Oklahoma State (Assistant Coach) 2006 - Oklahoma State (Assistant Coach) 2010 - Oklahoma State (Head Assistant Coach) 2011 - Oklahoma State (Head Assistant Coach)
Guerrero's International Wrestling Experience 1999 FILA Freestyle World Championships 2001 FILA Freestyle World Championships 2001 U.S. Open Champion 2002 FILA Freestyle World Championships 2002 U.S. Open Champion 2003 FILA Freestyle World Championships 2003 World Cup Champion 2003 U.S. Open Champion 2004 Athens Olympics - Team USA 2004 U.S. Open Champion 2009 Head Coach, USA Junior Freestyle World Team
