Kyle Dake on David Taylor taking Oklahoma State job: 'Still a close friend, show goes on'

Kyle Dake and David Taylor are long time friends on and off the wrestling mat but it’s been odd for Dake to not see Taylor regularly.

While the two competed against each other in college, they trained together at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, preparing each other for the Olympics and World Championships. Taylor won a Gold Medal at the 2020 Olympics while Dake won Bronze at their respective weights.

Now with Taylor at Oklahoma State as the team’s new head coach, Dake is preparing for Paris this summer, trying to win another medal.

“He was actually out here this past week. He came out for a couple of days just to train with me,” Dake said, via FloWrestling. “Still a close friend, still call him if there’s anything going on, still doing business together. It was definitely a big shock when it happened, but I understand his decision, it’s what he wanted to do. And that’s my feeling. So for me, the show goes on. I’m still trying to be the best I can possibly be.

“And David’s trying to help me along the way. It’s been odd for sure. It’s been really odd. You know, going in and not seeing him there, not seeing the other guys there. But like I said, that’s life. I’m sure it was odd for people when I left Cornell. It’s kind of what makes it fun.” 

Dake, a four-time NCAA champion from Cornell, made a huge change when he left the school despite training for senior-level competition in Ithaca as well. He went to the Penn State campus to join a loaded room, preparing him for the next level.

In that way, he understood Taylor’s decision.

“I think that just having challenges in life is interesting,” Dake said. “Get yourself uncomfortable. I was comfortable at Cornell, in Ithaca, where I’ve been my whole life and to move down to pursue something different, you know, I know that I’ve had a lot of fun doing it. 

“I really enjoy the people that I’m around, I really enjoy the coaches, my teammates. And now I know David is doing the same thing. And he didn’t accomplish the goals that he wanted to. He’s been very open about that. He’s just ready to move on.”

Dake will certainly have a great shot at Gold Medal in Paris while Taylor will lead the Cowboys from the bench in what could be an insane collegiate season.