It was about 6:15 on a Sunday afternoon. Most people around the country were watching the end of the second round of football games for the day. Most wrestling fans were still talking about Steven Mocco's performance at the Omaha Open, oblivious to what was about to happen.

But at this time, it was a former Florida high school wrestler who was gearing up for the biggest college match of his still young career.

In the past, most would assume that Florida boy was Oklahoma's Jared Frayer. But not anymore. This boy was the quiet, yet outspoken Josh Lambrecht, also a member of the Sooner wrestling team.

Lambrecht, who had already found out that day that he had moved up from number three in the nation to number two, was preparing for a match against top-ranked Victor Sveda of Indiana. Many wrestlers faced the top-ranked wrestler, but this match for Lambrecht was different, and he was willing to prove it to the nation.

Coming into this match, Lambrecht's career had been an up-and-down struggle.

He won a Southern Conference title as a freshman at Tennessee-Chattanooga, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in the process. After that, everything seemed to just go downhill, until he visited Iowa City that is.

Growing up in Brandon, Florida, Lambrecht always dreamed of wrestling for the University of Oklahoma. After placing third in the state meet as a junior, he sent tapes of himself to Sooners head coach Jack Spates, but never was able to illicit a response.

He spoke with Clearwater native and good friend Frayer, who told Lambrecht that he would see what he could do.

But after wrestling in a tournament as a senior, former Tennessee-Chattanooga head coach Mark Leen came calling.

"He had good money to offer," said Lambrecht, who only lost 9 matches in his high school career. "I looked at UTC as a stepping stone. My goal was to be there for a year or two and leave for a bigger program."

After redshirting as a freshman, Lambrecht stepped into the lineup at 197 pounds, a weight he was not too accustomed to.

The weight difference may have been just one of the problems Lambrecht had at UTC.

"I didn't really work with coach Leen that much," Lambrecht stated. "I guess you could say we didn't have the greatest relationship, but I just really wanted to be part of a major program."

After winning the Southern Conference title in only his first season in the starting lineup, it was Lambrecht's time to go. The team was undergoing some changes as two of their top wrestlers were graduating and the team was expected to struggle in his next season.

Moving on Up

He took a visit to Oklahoma and the Sooners welcomed him with open arms in time for the 2000-2001 season.

Lambrecht began that season ranked #13 in the nation, but with the expectations to compete for All-American status upon him, Lambrecht began to do what every troubled wrestler will do - think.

"In the beginning of the year, coach Spates was on me about developing takedowns. I went out there trying to think about just getting a takedown," Lambrecht said. "I wasn't used to wrestling that way. It just wasn't my style."

The more Lambrecht tried, the worse it seemed he was doing.

After beginning the season 4-1, he lost 10 of his next 14 matches. He dropped out of the rankings for the first time since his college career began at UTC, but more importantly, his confidence was shaken.

"I questioned for a while if Oklahoma was the right move for me. I felt like I was holding the team down," Lambrecht said while reminiscing on the lowest point of his career.

"I would read dual summaries and they would just always talk about how I was struggling and having trouble fitting in to the program. It was effecting me."

Though Lambrecht's biggest fear was a lack of confidence from his coaches, he said that he had no bigger supporter during his dark period than Spates.

"Coach Spates was my biggest supporter during that time," Lambrecht said. "At one time last year, I had changed my season goal from being an All-American to just improving throughout the season. Coach laid into me about it, but that seemed to be the turning point in my season."

"His confidence in me to let me do my own thing really helped me," he added.

Never could anyone have imagined what was to happen next.

Crowning Moment

Lambrecht came back to end his tumultuous season with a 14-13 record before placing third at the Big XII Championships.

Heading into the NCAA Tournament, Lambrecht knew things wouldn't be easy, but he never could have imagined a test like this. All six of his opponents were ranked anywhere from #3 in the nation to #19.

Because of his newfound confidence, though, he won four of those matches on his way to placing seventh in the nation.

Suddenly, the goal that seemed impossible to reach had been achieved, and every critic in the nation, including himself, had been proven wrong.

"In my mind, I lacked a lot of confidence, but in the back, way in the back, I knew I had the potential. I just had to find it," Lambrecht said.

"It was a great end to a down year."

Many felt it was a fluke; that Lambrecht was not deserving of his place on the podium.

It happens every year anyways. Somebody has that special day, rolling through a host of ranked opponents on their way to a low All-American finish.

That is what the old Lambrecht would have said.

The new Lambrecht was not only ready to improve, but also to mark his place in history.

Early Christmas

Lambrecht scored first in his match against Sveda, a plush-looking competitor whose bite is much worse than his bark.

The score was on a reversal in the second period. It was 2-0 before Lambrecht gave up an escape near the end of the period. 2-1 heading into the third period, and Sveda, who possesses stellar quickness, chose to start the period in the bottom position.

"They know I am most comfortable in the top position. I definitely think I am tougher than ever in the top and bottom positions."

It was one year ago in this very tournament when Lambrecht's downslide again. This year, for the third-ranked wrestler in the nation, it was one of those moments that could break a fragile soul in two.

But it was Lambrecht who did the breaking. His hips stayed tight on Sveda's for an entire two minutes. There were even times when Lambrecht came close to scoring back points, but he would save those for a later match.

Instead, he slid by with a 2-1 win, but it wasn't the score that counted, it was the fact that he was now the top-ranked wrestler in the nation. Quite an accomplishment for a man who wasn't even ranked in February.

"It's made what used to be a chore for me, especially working on my feet, to something I desire to work on," said Lambrecht, still ecstatic two weeks later about his narrow victory. "This past summer I worked harder than ever. I know now that people expect more of me and I expect more of myself."

The change from undersized wrestler at UTC to best in the nation at Oklahoma has been nothing short of dramatic for Lambrecht, who admits he still watches film from his UTC days for sheer enjoyment.

He also admitted one other discreet hobby he has taken up since November 18.

"Sometimes I put my gear on, look in the mirror and just smile."

"Being ranked number one, my goal right now is to end the year with that same ranking. That's my goal right now, and I think it's attainable," Lambrecht said.

He may not be recognized around the country, but for the second year in a row, Norman, Okla. is ruled by an athlete named Josh. Last year, it was Josh Heupel who led the Oklahoma Sooners to a football national championship. This year, it may be Josh Lambrecht's turn.