STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's unforgettable run to the 2005 NCAA Wrestling Championship has been immortalized in author Kim Parrish's new book, Cowboy Up, which is now available for purchase online at www.okstate.com, at cowboyupbook.org and at OSU wrestling duals at Gallagher-Iba Arena. 

Cowboy Up, which includes a foreward written by OSU Head Coach John Smith, provides readers with an insider's glimpse into every aspect of the Cowboy wrestling program. Parrish followed the team into the wrestling room, on road trips and in every other way imaginable.

"This is the most in-depth account of our run to the 2005 NCAA title and Judge Kim Parrish has done an excellent job of capturing a season of training and hard work and all the struggles that went into the success that team enjoyed," Smith said. "This isn't just a book about Oklahoma State wrestling. It's a book about a group of young men that came together with a purpose and made the sacrifices needed to achieve a larger goal."

The Cowboys of 2004-05 matched an NCAA record with five individual national champions and won the NCAA team title by 70 points over second-place Michigan in one of the most dominating runs in the history of the NCAA Championships.

Led on the mat by NCAA individual champions Zack Esposito, Johny Hendricks, Chris Pendleton, Jake Rosholt and Steve Mocco, the Cowboys compiled a perfect 21-0 record in dual matches and romped to wins over rivals Iowa, Minnesota and Oklahoma before storming to the 2005 Big 12 Championship and eventually the NCAA crown.

With 34 national championships to its credit, Oklahoma State wrestling has won more NCAA team titles than any other team at any other school in the nation. In fact, the Cowboy wrestling program has won more championships than any North American professional team as well, as the New York Yankees have the second-most titles with 26 World Series championships.

"(Cowboy Up) makes a riveting declaration about the essence of the sport," said James Ravannack, President of USA Wrestling. "John Smith and Oklahoma State are synonymous with excellence. This page-turner does them justice."

"This fascinating and gritty story is recommended reading for wrestling coaches everywhere. A discerning study in the education of a coach and the molding of a team," said Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

 "This is more than a book about wrestling. It is a book about the importance of goals, discipline, team building, self-contemplation and learning what it takes to get the job done. It is a strategy book in the sense that one must learn everything about competition and vulnerability. This is a book for entrepreneurs of all types and anyone else who wants to achieve success at the highest levels," said B. Curtis Hamm, PhD and Professor Emeritus of the William S. Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University.