Missouri’s Cody Greene Looking to Prove It Was Worth The Wait
Senior 149-Pounder Looking to Make Most of One Shot at Reaching the NCAA Tournament
By Brandon Siem “Staff Writer
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Many great wrestlers have had to wait for their opportunity in the shadows of an All-American. When the opportunity finally does come, they seize it and relish every moment of it.
Missouri Tiger Cody Greene is one of those persons who has waited. For three years he sat and watched someone else reap in all the glories of victory. Now in his final season of eligibility, Greene himself has an opportunity to reach his dream of making the NCAA tournament and fight for an opportunity to become an All-American.
In his senior campaign Greene has compiled a 25-7 record and has emerged as a top wrestler at 149. He is ranked No. 20 in The Wrestling Mall’s Feb. 22 individual poll, and is in the top 20 in all four major polls. Greene has recorded five falls, three technical falls and nine wins by major decision.
“Cody has become a leader on this team,” Missouri coach Brian Smith said.
In the shadow of an All-American
The wait to become the top wrestler at 149 wasn’t always easy for Greene. He was forced to take a backseat to a gifted cast of wrestlers including All-American Jeremy Spates.
Greene constantly challenged Spates in the practice room, and compiled an 11-1 record in limited competition last year. Greene’s only loss came to Spates in the finals of the Southern Scuffle.
“It was pretty tough to stay motivated over the years when I knew that I wouldn’t get any of the glory,” Greene said. “Without any rewards I had to gain mental toughness to keep me going.”
Despite frustrations throughout his career, Greene has stuck through the good times and bad.
“Cody would sometimes quit for a couple days, but he always came back,” Smith said. “It made him a stronger person and now he has got everything together this year.”
Although wresting in limited action, Greene has put up an impressive 65-24 career record. Greene, a native of St. Charles Missouri who competed at Seckman High School, was the 2000 Missouri High School 3A Wrestler of the Year. Every year Greene has been at Missouri the team has improved.
“Cody would have started anywhere else in the country and it really got to him sometimes,” Smith said. “I would have to remind him that his opportunity would come.”
Greene’s opportunity finally did come and he has taken full advantage of it. Competing at the Virginia Duals in January, Greene stepped up and wrestled at 157 twice and both times recorded pins. Greene was one of only six wrestlers at the Virginia Duals to win all six matches.
“If it is something you truly want to do, than you must realize you’ll never know when your opportunity can happen,” Greene said.
Smith believes Greene’s biggest assets are his incredible quickness on his feet and his leadership qualities.
“Cody has a good personality and he somehow finds fun in times of stress,” Smith said.
Tiger Season
At the beginning of the year Smith was concerned about Greene taking over the leadership roles because they had not started at Missouri before. He has proven to be excellent leaders and directed the team to a #13 ranking and 15-6 regular season record. The Tigers are now off until the Big 12 championships, March 5 in Omaha, Neb.
“My season has gone a lot like the teams season, up and down,” Greene said. “The team and I have yet to show our best.”
Wrestling in the Big 12 conference is no easy task for Greene and the Tigers. Missouri lost all four times against conference opponents this year “but all four of those teams were ranked in the top 10 in the nation. They lost to #3 Nebraska, 26-12; #1 Oklahoma State, 31-9; #7 Oklahoma, 18-14; and #2 Iowa State, 18-15.
Missouri ended on a strong note though, defeating UTC, 22-15, and Eastern Illinois, 28-9. But Smith knows the real test is now competing in the rugged one day Big 12 tournament.
“We seem to be getting stronger,” Smith said. “We took on the No. 2 school in the nation and gave them a run.”
Greene’s end of season run
The biggest concern Smith has for Greene is the possibility of the first-time jitters when he competes for a berth in the NCAA tournament. This will be Greene’s first and only chance of competing for a berth in the NCAA tournament. The top three at each weight class in the Big 12 qualify for the national tournament and 149 features the top-ranked wrestler in the nation with Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State, and another standout in Oklahoma’s Matt Storniolo, ranked No. 4. Greene however, is the only other ranked wrestler in the Big 12 at 149.
He has one shot to put it all together. Considering he has waited his entire career for this chance, Smith knows he will give it his best effort.
“I know he has the confidence and he will not have a bad day,” Smith said. “You know, he’s had a lot of struggles since he got here, but through it all he always comes back stronger. He’s focused in every aspect on the mat, and I expect him to be an All-American this year. Cody’s perseverance is a story that I’m going to tell my team in the future, how hard work can result in success.”
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