OUTLOOK: John Olanowski returns to Missouri's lineup at 125 pounds looking to improve on last year's finish and make a run at his first All-America accolade.
"Johnny had a very hot and cold season last year," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "He started out hot with a seventh-place finish at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and fourth-place showing at the Southern Scuffle. But, the end of his season didn't end the way he or the staff wanted to. His tough losses really lit a fire under him and he's put in a lot of time to working on his weaknesses in order to produce positive results this season."
2006-07: In his first season as a member of Missouri's 10-man lineup, Olanowski collected 18 wins and three top-eight tournament finishes. Finishing as high as third at the Missouri Open, Nov. 19, Olanowski won his first bout of the day with a fall in 1:37. Olanowski bettered his time, recording a fall in 1:18 over Brody Essick of Appalachian State in his opening bout of the Southern Scuffle. The 125-pound grappler went on to finish fourth at the Southern Scuffle, suffering only two losses and both to top-10 ranked opponents. Wrestling at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Olanowski took seventh with a 4-2 record.
2005-06: A strong competitor throughout his redshirt season, Olanowski collected 31 wins and four tournament titles while wrestling at 125 pounds. Credited with 10-extra point wins, Olanowski shutout five opponents while pinning an additional five competitors and winning by technical fall in five of his bouts. Olanowski took first place at the Missouri Open (freshman/sophomore division), Dan Gable Open, Roger Denker Open and Missouri Valley Open, finishing second at the Lindenwood Open in his collegiate debut, Oct. 29. Wrestling at the Oklahoma Open, Nov. 28, Olanowski finished third after suffering a 4-1 loss in the opening match to Tyler Shinn of Oklahoma State but won the following two bouts by outscoring his opponents, 21-1.
HIGH SCHOOL: Olanowski compiled a 164-13 record during four years at Kellam High School, including a staggering 60 wins as a senior (2005) on his way to the Virginia State Championship. Finishing third and second as a sophomore (2003) and junior (2004), respectively, Olanowski utilized the coaching of Mike Benzel to achieve Prep All-America status.
PERSONAL: Olanowski is a general studies major now focusing on business, political science, and history, and was born in Newport, R.I., June 13, 1987, to John and Diane Olanowski. One of four boys in the family, he is brother to Justin (22), a wrestler at the Apprentice School, Eric (19), a grappler at Michigan State, and Christian (13).
