The second Steve Mocco sweepstakes is finally over.

The NCAA heavyweight champion has committed to transfer from the Univ. of Iowa to Oklahoma State Univ. to finish out his Junior and Senior seasons as a collegiate wrestler.

Mocco waited until Wednesday to release the news so that he could inform the other interested schools of his intent.

"I have decided to attend Oklahoma State next fall to continue to academic and athletic careers," Mocco said late Tuesday night from his home in North Bergen, N.J. "I feel that OSU offers me the best chance to realize my dream of becoming an Olympic and World Champion."

Mocco took an official visit to Oklahoma State last weekend, and after a final meeting with Hofstra head coach Tom Ryan on Tuesday evening, made his final decision to attend Oklahoma State.

Mocco requested releases to 10 Division I institutions: Cornell, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Hofstra, Lehigh, Northern Iowa, Oklahoma State, Rider, Rutgers and Virginia Tech.

But in the end, he chose to stay in the Midwest and compete for the school that has captured the last two NCAA Division I team titles. Mocco is expected to start at 285 lbs. next season.

"John Smith is one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers ever, and he is one of the greatest coaches ever as well. With the amount of talent in the room at OSU next year, I feel that I should definitely be able to reach my goals."

"I want to thank the coaches of the other schools I was considering for their time and interest. I also want to thank the University of Iowa for helping me progress not only as a wrestler, but as a student and a person as well. Coach Zalesky and Coach Brands have been strong influences on me," Mocco added.

Mocco had a stellar career at the Univ. of Iowa, finishing as a national runner-up in 2002 before winning the national title in 2003. He holds a career record of 71-3.

He applied for an Olympic waiver from the NCAA to train towards making the Olympic Team this year.

In the last year, Mocco has competed in several international competitions, winning three gold medals and one silver medal in those tournaments. He placed second in the 2004 U.S. Freestyle National Championships just over one month before the Olympic Trials.

Mocco is originally from North Bergen, N.J., and graduated from Blair Academy. He was a four-time National Preps champion (1998-2001) and a three-time Junior Nationals champion (1999-2001). He placed fourth in the 2001 Junior Freestyle World Championships.

He was named the 2001 ASICS High School Wrestler of the Year.