Beard Chooses Cyclones

The decision could not have been any more last-minute for Boaz Beard.

"It was pretty quick," Beard said. "Maybe a couple of days before signing day, we came up on a visit and I changed my mind."

Two weeks ago, Beard was dead-set on joining the prolific Oklahoma State University wrestling program, but after his visit to Ames, Iowa, Beard decided he wanted to be a member of the up-and-coming Iowa State team.

"Oklahoma State is a nice school and they have a nice campus," Beard said. "I think I just based my original decision on that."

Beard looked a little closer and found that Iowa State felt like home.

"When I went to Iowa it was just way more family-like," Beard said. "I liked the coaches and I like the wrestlers, and I just decided that wrestling around with an Olympic champion would be best for me."

That Olympic champion is Cyclone head coach Cael Sanderson. Sanderson is famous for his 159-0 collegiate record at ISU, which Sports Illustrated called the second-greatest collegiate sports accomplishment ever. Sanderson went on to win a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Beard will certainly benefit from sparring with the wrestling legend, and he will work during his freshman year to get better.

"I'll red-shirt my freshman year," Beard said. "Then hopefully I will wrestle for the 184-pound spot the year after that."

Making this decision before his senior season started this winter was important for Beard. One less distraction is good for a wrestler looking to win his fourth Kansas state championship.

"It's one less thing to worry about during the season," Beard said. "I'm glad I did it so I can focus on another state title."

Being part of a winning program is important to Beard as well.

"They're the number-two ranked team in the country this year," Beard said. "I just want to win."

For Beard, this is the end of a three-year recruiting process. It's safe to say that his decision is a huge weight off his shoulders.

Also last Friday, Beard's teammates Tyler Caldwell and Mitchell Means signed letters of intent - Caldwell with Cal Poly, which had three NCAA individual title contenders last March, and Means with Fort Hays State.