ST. LOUIS — Father and son stood together Thursday in the northwest tunnel of the Scottrade Center. The pair exchanged few words. A head nod. A slap on the rear. Nothing more.
Oklahoma State coach John Smith followed 157-pound Cowboy wrestler Joe Smith from the arena's shadow and into its spotlight where more than 18,000 in attendance looked upon eight mats on college wrestling's biggest stage.
The NCAA championship spectacle is hardly overwhelming, though, for the sport's first family.
John Smith won consecutive national titles in 1987 and 1988. His brother, Lee Roy, earned one in 1980.