The Boise State wrestling team came back bruised and battered from their dual with Oklahoma State last week. Despite being roughly even on paper, the Broncos were badly beaten and to make matters worse, their star wrestler, #1-ranked Kirk Smith, was carried off the mat following his medical forfeit.
Boise State Coach Greg Randall is being tight-lipped about the injury and Smith's condition is unknown at this time. That uncertainty is contributing to the downgrading of Boise State's prospects at the National Championships. Intermat today dropped the Broncos from #2 to #5 and they are probably being kind. If Smith's teammates perform in Philadelphia the way they did in Stillwater, the Broncos will be fortunate to finish in the Top 15. Three of Boise State's previously unbeaten wrestlers went down in Oklahoma and Alan Bartelli was the only individual to step it up and get an upset.
But life isn't about the cards you're dealt but rather how you respond. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about the Bronco team. Will the rest of the Bronco team pick up the slack for their fallen star? Passionate Boise State wrestling fans are hoping they do.
(Click on the story title to see this week's Intermat rankings.)
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