Oklahoma State’s Jordan Oliver is seeking his second straight NCAA title this season. Larry Slater photo.

Jake Herbert went from NCAA champion to World silver medalist in 2009.

Jordan Burroughs won NCAA and World titles this year.

So will another college star make a big splash on the international scene in freestyle wrestling in 2012?

Oklahoma State’s Jordan Oliver may be the best candidate to fill that role. A past Junior World bronze medalist, Oliver is a top-level freestyler who is skilled and gifted on his feet.

Oliver has Olympic aspirations, and we are not talking about 2016. He hopes to compete at April’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City. He would wrestle at 60 kg/132 lbs.

“I think I’m capable of going right into that level of wrestling and making some noise,” Oliver said. “My goal is to make the Olympic Team and win an Olympic gold medal. I’ve been competing at a high level all my life. My intentions are to go in and win it and be on the Olympic Team.”

Oliver won his first NCAA title this past March in Philadelphia. Three matches later, Burroughs capped his college career at Nebraska with his second NCAA title.

While Burroughs jumped immediately into freestyle, Oliver took a break from competition. Six months after winning NCAAs, Burroughs went on an amazing run through his bracket to win a World title at 74 kg/163 lbs.

“Watching Jordan Burroughs win a World title, that opened my eyes to what you can do,” Oliver said. “He came right out of the college season and made a really quick transition to freestyle. We are real good friends and we talk a lot. We wrestle the same style where we are always attacking and looking for our scores.

“What Jordan did definitely motivated me. I think I can do the same thing and make an impact. He did it and I can definitely do it.”

U.S. National Coach Zeke Jones said Oliver can have “an immediate impact” at the international level.

“Jordan’s won at every level,” Jones said. “He has medaled in the Junior Worlds, and has a great freestyle background. Generally, guys doing this have an immediate impact. I think the key for him is staying fresh from now until August.  

“If you look at the numbers of the best wrestlers in the World, they start winning their first World and Olympic gold medals when they are his age. Now is the time for Jordan to cement his name as one of the best wrestlers in American history.”  

Jones said Oliver and Burroughs feature similar styles on the mat.

“Like Burroughs, Oliver has tremendous athletic ability, a great leg attack, and he can scramble,” Jones said. “His transition from folkstyle to freestyle will be easy.”  

For now, the focus is on the college season where Oliver is undefeated and ranked No. 1 at 133 pounds.

The junior won NCAAs this past season after placing fourth as a freshman.

He is the leader on a loaded Oklahoma State team that is ranked second nationally. The Cowboys have won a record 34 national titles, but haven’t ruled the college wrestling world since 2006.

“Our team is looking really good,” Oliver said. “We are excited about this season. We are ranked No. 2, but that’s not good enough around here. We have 34 national titles and this year we are planning on winning No. 35. We still have a lot to work on. My goal is to win an individual title and a team title. Anything less is going to be disappointing.”

Oklahoma State wrestles at No. 1 Iowa on Jan. 7. The dual will be in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the same venue where the Olympic Trials will be held.

Oliver is scheduled to face No. 2 Tony Ramos of Iowa in that dual. Oliver pulled out a last-second win over NCAA runner-up Daniel Dennis of Iowa when the Cowboys wrestled in Iowa City two years ago.

“I’m definitely looking forward to that dual with Iowa,” Oliver said. “I remember walking in there my freshman year and they had 11,000 fans for our dual. They have a great atmosphere at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and they will pack the gym again. It is a fun place to wrestle. Wrestling Ramos, he’s ranked No. 2. Those are the matches you look forward to and get excited about.”

Oliver turned in a dominating performance when he captured his first NCAA title last season in Philadelphia. He grew up in nearby Easton, Pa.

“It meant everything to win it there,” he said. “I had friends and family there, and a lot of my old coaches. To be able to win it there was really exciting. It was awesome.”

Oliver said winning a second straight NCAA title will be a challenge.

“Our coaches say it’s harder to repeat than to win your first one,” he said. “It’s a whole new season. There are a lot of guys out there who want the same thing you do and are looking to knock you off. I have to put last year behind me and continue to focus on getting better with my technique and conditioning.

“I know what I have to do to be successful and put myself in position to win a national title. You have to be mentally and physically ready to perform.”