He’s waited his turn. He’s suffered through injury, sickness and even the politics of collegiate wrestling. In Ryan Smith’s mind, he’s deserved a shot at what has proved to be such an elusive goal: to become an All-American.
“I see those guys that I used to compete with and beat (in high school) who are now All-Americans and national champions,” Smith said. “For me, it pisses me off that I see how that happened.”
For Cal Poly’s 197-pound wrestler, frustration has fueled him to one of his most exceptional seasons on the mat of his career. Sporting a 19-10 overall record and ranked in the top 20 nationally in his weight class, Smith made it known that he will not finish his Cal Poly career without a fight.
The senior entered college with high hopes following a 105-35 career record and three CIF-Southern Section individual titles at wrestling powerhouse Temecula High School. He boasts two Greco-Roman All-American titles from high school as well, but misfortune has found Smith struggling for relevance on the mat.
“It mentally wears on you,” Smith said. “You just start to wonder if it’s really worth it.”
In his first week of practice as a freshman, Smith tore his left meniscus and lateral collateral ligament and was forced to redshirt the season. Smith suffered the same injury again during his redshirt freshman year, but this time on his right knee. Both injuries required knee surgery and extensive rehab, but the Temecula, Calif., native found the recovery time too debilitating and couldn’t get back to 100 percent by season’s end.
Smith posted a 19-11 overall record in his sophomore year but didn’t receive an at-large bid to compete in the national championship meet — an achievement he believes he earned but said he was denied due to the NCAA’s tendency to overlook Cal Poly in its selection process. Adding insult to injury, Smith was bested by his nemesis Riley Orozco of Cal State Bakersfield three times that year, including an 11-5 decision in the final round of the Pac-10 tournament.
Finally in the 2010-11 season, Smith advanced to the NCAA championships following a season which saw him defeat then-No.17 ranked Orozco for the first time in his career. But once again, the end of his season was plagued by misfortune; this time it was a bout with liver sickness.
In his final season with the Mustang wrestling squad, Smith hopes to draw from that early adversity to chase his dream of becoming a top eight placer at the national championship tournament (All-American).
“I’ve been riding this train for 19 years now,” Smith said. “I want to end on a good note. I want to end and have something that no one can take away from me. And becoming an All-American, well, no one can take that away from you. That’s something you get to keep for the rest of your life.”
Smith began his wrestling career from an early age when he accompanied his older brothers to practice in the evenings after school and soccer practice. He half-jokingly admits his mother sent him off to wrestling with his siblings so she could make dinner for the family while they were all out of the house.
Growing up in the mountains outside of Temecula, Calif., Smith and his four brothers forged a strong relationship as they were all within five years of each other save one: Keegan is four years younger than Ryan.
Despite scholarship offers to wrestle for programs such as Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton, Smith said his older brother Brad, who graduated from Cal Poly last year, played the largest role in his decision to attend school on the Central Coast.
While he and his older brothers grew up extremely close, attending school and playing sports together, the same cannot be said for Smith and his youngest sibling, Keegan. Due to their difference in age, the two admittedly didn’t spend nearly as much time together bonding over things that the other brothers did in their childhood.
But as of this last fall, that all changed. Following in his brothers’ footsteps Keegan Smith decided to enroll at Cal Poly. Keegan not only decided to attend, but enrolled on an athletic scholarship just like Ryan did four years prior. The freshman is currently a forward on the Mustang soccer team, a squad that went 6-9-3 during the 2011 season.
“It’s helped us get a lot closer than pretty much any other time in my life,” Keegan said. “It’s bridged the gap a little bit since we’re now both in college, and we’re able to do the same things.”
Although the two didn’t see much time together back home in Southern California, they might find themselves under one roof again, but this time in San Luis Obispo, as the two have plans of living together next quarter.
“It’s really cool because throughout my life it’s something I never really had,” Keegan said. “It’s cool to have him close. He’s supportive, and he really tries to give me good advice.”
Smith believes he had a shot of playing collegiate soccer just like Keegan, but in middle school, he decided he was naturally built for the sport of wrestling instead. He’s quick to note that his father had the biggest influence on his wrestling career growing up — he coached the brothers since Smith was just 3 years old.
“Despite all the noise, there could be a million people in the gym yelling and screaming, and my dad can say one thing, and I’ll hear exactly what he says,” Smith said. “My ear is trained to listen for his voice.”
Maybe that kin-like influence has translated to Smith’s vocal leadership within the Mustang wrestling squad, according to teammate Ryan DesRoches. Along with senior Boris Novachkov and DesRoches, Smith is considered one of this year’s team captains.
DesRoches, Smith’s daily training partner, admits his leadership drives the young team forward on and off the mat.
“He’s just such a good leader, especially vocally,” DesRoches said. “He knows this is his last chance, so he’s going to give it all he’s got. He’s wrestling to win.”