When it comes to wrestling comebacks, Oklahoma State has a big story brewing. Under the guidance of their new coach, David Taylor, the Cowboys are gaining momentum in the NCAA wrestling circuit. Taylor’s coaching debut has already seen the team start 2-0 this season. But behind these victories lies an even bigger storyline—one of a wrestler who’s fighting his way back to the top.

Taylor’s team isn’t just about early wins; it’s about resilience. So, there’s this one athlete of his who’s really standing out. He’s coming back after a tough season full of injuries, and it looks like Taylor’s guidance is really helping him bounce back. Taylor’s been super vocal about how hard this wrestler worked to recover. He even said it’s a real show of determination, which is pretty impressive, you know? And the results are already making waves.

Overcoming setbacks to make a powerful comeback

Last season wasn’t kind to Oklahoma State’s Luke Surber, who faced setbacks that disrupted his flow. But rather than allowing the injury to derail him, Surber turned it into an opportunity to grow. Taylor revealed how, even during his time off the mat, Luke was relentless in his workouts. “I mean, Luke’s in great shape… he wasn’t on the mat, but you know I was giving him workouts, and he was crushing those workouts,” Taylor shared.

When Surber finally returned, there wasn’t any need for him to “get back in shape.” He was already there. His preparation paid off when he stepped back into competition this season, showing confidence and control in his matches. His weekend win over Munoz not only marked his early success but also set the tone for a season of redemption. “It was just good to see him go out and have some good matches this weekend,” Taylor said, clearly impressed with his athlete’s resilience.

Crafting a versatile gameplan for success

David Taylor has been vocal about Surber’s ability to score in various ways, a critical factor in his resurgence. “He can score in a lot of ways. Like, he’s a good scrambler and really good on top,” So, Taylor pointed out something pretty cool. You could really see that versatility in Surber’s matches over the weekend—his technique was on point, and he had some severe tactical skills going on.

And honestly, what’s super exciting is how all this progress fits into Taylor’s bigger picture for the team. It’s like everything is coming together, you know? As Oklahoma State gears up for home duals against Wyoming and Arizona State, Surber’s development becomes pivotal. So, Taylor, who’s got a solid 2-0 record as the Cowboys’ coach now, stresses the importance of putting together a team that’s strong in skills and mentally tough. And then there’s Surber – his comeback is pretty epic and could totally inspire not just his own teammates but the whole wrestling program by making them not content.

With David Taylor at the helm and Surber’s grit, Oklahoma State fans might be on the verge of seeing the next NCAA wrestling champ emerge. This weekend’s duals? Yeah, it’ll be a perfect opportunity to see if they can keep that momentum rolling. One thing’s for sure, though: this comeback saga is definitely not done yet.