Roger Kish describes how Oklahoma joining SEC impacts wrestling

Roger Kish knows Oklahoma is going to be a little different with the athletic department repping the SEC.

However, the wrestling team will continue to compete in the Big 12, since the SEC does not sponsor the sport. Oklahoma and Missouri are the two SEC affiliated schools that carry the sport but compete in the Big 12.

It was a time for celebration and Kish and the Sooners wrestlers will just feed off the newly found SEC energy.

“Yeah, I tell you what, July 1st was just a huge day around the University of Oklahoma as day one of the Southeastern Conference,” Kish told On3. “The level of excitement around campus, the different celebrations … What a fun day July 1st was on campus and being able to see the excitement throughout the community and in the city of Norman really showing up to show their support for the the movement. 

“In terms of wrestling whether it’s SEC or Big 12, we’re just excited to continue to improve our progress. Our goal here is to chase trophies and regardless of our conference affiliation, that’s going to be the goal in terms of our athletes.” 

Being in the SEC is historic for the school, but the wrestling program will just have to reap the rewards without competing in the conference.

Oklahoma and LSU could be a great football game and if the Sooners were to wrestle LSU, you could have quite the doubleheader in November, let’s say.

Until LSU brings back its wrestling team, it’ll be a fantasy.

“You know, I think it’s exciting for our wrestlers to understand the significance of being a part of the SEC,” Kish said. “I believe it’s gonna open up some different avenues for the University of Oklahoma and wrestling specifically and you know? 

“I think it’s going to be about time for for myself and Coach Smith over at Missouri to get excited and create some SEC championships ourselves as are our two institutions are the only two currently in the SEC. So I think there’s a level of excitement that him and I are going to be able to get creative with and make our own SEC championship but you know, certainly unaffiliated with the SEC, but it’ll still be fun.”

Football, basketball, softball, you name it. Oklahoma will be something to watch in the SEC. So will wrestling under Kish, just under the old Big 12 banner.