Dominating doesn't seem like an adequate description for what Ozark senior wrestler John Oss has done this year.
He simply doesn't lose.
The senior is 50-0 this season and he has hardly been challenged.
"One match has been close," said. "He is by far the best 170 pounder in the state of Missouri."
How Oss transitioned from a 10-loss junior that finished fifth at state last year to now being an unstoppable force simply came down to effort.
"The work you have to put in is different from fifth to being undefeated for sure," Oss said. "It has definitely been mostly work ethic for me."
"John has really done the extra stuff," said. "Putting in the time in the weight room (and) putting in time on the mat in the summer. He is just figuring it out. He knows what it takes to be successful now and he is doing those small things."
One of those small things is his approach to each match.
"I wrestle everyone the same no matter who it is. You can't take anyone lightly," Oss said.
"He believes every time he steps on the mat, there is no question he believes he is the best and he is going to win," said.
That belief in himself now has Oss as one of the favorites heading into the State tournament. He is just four wins away from the perfect ending to his season, but his match-by-match approach isn't about to change now.
"That has been our goal all year is to be an undefeated state champ and so far we have accomplished that," said. "We have one more tournament, so we aren't ready to settle down yet."
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