As all wrestling observers know, except for those few who have been stranded on deserted island, Penn State
freshman 142-pounder Jamarr Billman is a dynamic, passionate wrestler. But in a consolation bout on Friday night
against Oklahoma State's Steven Schmidt, Billman was a little more stoked than usual. A cauldron of motivation
had been boiling in the pit of his stomach for quite a while, all of it coming from Oklahoma State coach John Smith.

While a senior at Easton High School, Billman had verbally committed to wrestle for the Cowboys. But further
thought and consideration of his father's wishes to have him compete somewhere he could see his matches, Jamarr
reconsidered and signed with Penn State. Apparently, coach Smith didn't appreciate the change of heart. And
Billman didn't appreciate Smith's sentiments upon hearing the news. "When I called to tell him he said I wouldn't
make it at Oklahoma State anyway," Billman recounted. "He said I wasn't good enough and that after a few
months at Penn State I would wish I had gone to Oklahoma State."

Then, a short time ago, someone who Billman knows but wouldn't identify, logged on to InterMat Chat as Billman.
That interloper basically talked trash, writing that Billman would beat Schmidt, among other things. Billman said he
would never consider such a ploy, that he's above that. But his matchup with Schmidt refreshed, even enhanced, all
that smoldering resentment. "I had a lot emotion for that match. I was so confident but so angry," Billman said.
The match with Schmidt was close throughout and hung in the balance late in the third period. Trailing 4-3, Billman
hit a cement job from the bottom, planting Schmidt on his back for a four-point move.

The move proved to be a crowd pleaser and during a subsequent break, Billman pumped up the volume even more
in the Cleveland State Convocation Center, waving his arms, asking the crowd to cheer more. He allowed Schmidt
to escape and fended him off for a 7-5 win. After the final buzzer sounded, Billman directed a dark glance toward
the Oklahoma State coaches. "That glance said, 'Hey, do you think I wish I went to Oklahoma State now?' "
Billman said. After having his hand raised, Billman had a brief comment for Smith. "I told him it wasn't me on
InterMat chat," Billman said. Now, the matter is past history. "That win put everything in the past," Billman said.

Thanks to Andy Elder and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article