Maverick Spotlight: Cody Garcia
Mar 8, 2010 | General
Cody Garcia will look to become the 10th four-time All-American and fourth three-time national champion in UNO wrestling history this weekend at the 2010 Division II Wrestling Championships. The Hutchinson, Kan., native is having one of the best seasons ever by a UNO wrestler, sporting a 45-0 record heading into the tournament. Garcia won his fourth regional championship on Feb. 28 to punch his ticket to the National Tournament. The senior 133-pounder broke all of UNO's pins records this season, setting the single-season and all-time mark. OMavs.com got a chance to sit down with the All-American who will face Joey Martin of Nebraska-Kearney in his first-round match on Friday, March 12.
OMavs.com: You're no stranger to success on the mat, but this season you're having one of the best ever in UNO wrestling history – 45-0, 29 wins by fall. Is there anything that you did differently this season that can explain your phenomenal season?
Cody Garcia: My preparation this year was a little more intense than it was in the past. I spent more time in the weight room, which I hadn't done in the past when I was cutting down at 125 (pounds). I had to work more on my skills then, rather than my lifting and getting stronger. I think a little bit also was just having some confidence about my conditioning and my strength. You can get motivated for one last year – when you know it's your last year you can step up and be ready when you need to.
OMavs.com: You've broken all the falls records that were previously owned by Pat Kelley III. Was that one of your goals this season or did that just happen?
CG: It kind of just happened (laughing). When I came to college, I wouldn't consider myself a pinner. As I made my transition into college I realized that the mat wrestling was something I needed to get a little better at. It just fit my body style and I just kind of started to feel different things out, and I became pretty tough on top. I learned that if I was working for a fall that it was going to be a little easier for me to ride people. This year especially I've just been going out and wrestling my matches and it just sort of came to me. I knew the record was coming up, but even then I didn't think about it too much until it happened. I respect this program so much, so that in itself means a lot to me. But other than that, it's just matches.
OMavs.com: Your quickest pin this year was in 22 seconds. Do you ever go into a match thinking, 'I can end this one pretty quick?'
CG: (Laughing) As I've gotten older I learned that I can conserve myself a little more and I'm not opposed to getting off the mat a little quicker. Especially with some injuries in the past. Getting off the mat quicker was a little incentive to get the pin.
OMavs.com: With the great season that you're having, you been getting more media attention than you're probably used to. It's easy for some athletes to let that go to their head. How do you not let the extra attention get to you?
CG: Yeah there is a thin line there between confidence and cockiness. I think you do have to be confident – confident in your preparation, confident in your work out partners. I enjoy being able to be a big part of this team and to be able to be a senior leader. That's more of the element that matters to me – is being able to speak for the team and stuff. Media is media and it doesn't really change how I'm wrestling and how I'm preparing for matches. It's my senior year and I've been motivated, and I don't need any other reason to be motivated than for that last title.
OMavs.com: Most casual wrestling fans might not understand the importance of staying at or around your target weight so that you can make weight. Most other athletes, such as a basketball player doesn't have to be as concerned about what they are eating as a wrestler does. How hard is that to do each week and what does your diet usually consist of during the season?
CG: Like you said, wrestling is really unique. You've got to be highly disciplined to be successful and to do it the right way. It's physically demanding and you have to educate your self, not only on the mat but off the mat as well. Being health conscience as far as your extra workouts and how you're eating and preparing your body. Fortunately as I was growing up, I took a lot of interest in dieting and taking care of my body because I've always tried to do everything I could to be as successful as possible. I've learned a lot of different things about nutrition and I've kind of refined my diet throughout the years and each year you change it a little bit – but you kind of find your little thing. But just consistency and discipline mostly. Every morning for about five months now I've had a three egg omelet – egg whites only. Peppers, steaks, yogurt, bananas. It gets a little repetitive at times.
OMavs.com: Do you have your own personal chef then?
CG: (Laughing) I wish. I enjoy cooking and I wish I was a little better, but I have gotten a little better throughout the years for that reason. I've always been big on not eating out – I don't know if that's because I'm kind of a frugal person when it comes to finance. As long as I'm cooking it – as long as I know where it's coming from and I know what's in it. It's one of those things that you've got to look at something and be like, 'why am I eating this and how is it going to benefit me?' That's kind of how I take eating – that's the approach I take. It's just something I've got to do to fuel myself.
OMavs.com: So on Saturday night once the National Tournament is over, will you scarf down a couple cheese burgers or what's the first thing you're going to munch on that you couldn't during the season?
CG: It's funny, in wrestling a lot of times you start making these lists, either in your head or we actually write it down. Different restaurants and different commercials that you see and you're like, 'man, I haven't had a burger in a long time, Burger King has a double cheeseburger now, I'm going to have to have one of those.' Luckily after tournaments and stuff you get a break after that night, but then you start over that next day. I could definitely go for some ice cream or something like that, but we'll see what happens.
OMavs.com: You've been on some good team during your stint here at UNO. How does this season's squad compare with the others that you've been on?
CG: Each year has been unique, but it's hard to even say it because I've been on such great teams and have had good chemistry. But this one, for some reason we all just mold together and we are all unique individuals. Our personalities are different and our wrestling styles are different, but somehow we all just click together. We all just feed off of each other. Fortunately we've got great coaches, and Jacob (Marrs) and I and Bryce (Boehm) have tried to be the best leaders that we can and show the way. Especially Jacob and I lead by example more probably and I think that helps. The younger guys respect it. I think you just get confidence from each other and that's the biggest thing going into this tournament, even if you're a young guy. That's key.
OMavs.com: With your collegiate wrestling career near its end, and graduation looming, what do you hope to be doing in the future?
CG: Right now I'm just looking at the next nine days. But I enjoy wrestling and I always have. It's been a part of my life since I was four years old and this is my 20th year of wrestling so it's not like I'm going to be able to go cold turkey on it and just be done. But what ever that might entail I don't know. I'd love to coach. I love the sport. I love teaching. Right now, I'm an education major so teaching and coaching is this path I'm trying to follow. I kind of want to stick around here and learn a little more and see if I can help the team.
OMavs.com: So we could see Coach Garcia next year?
CG: Yeah, perhaps. I'll probably be about 30 pounds heavier though (laughing).
OMavs.com: You're going to be getting married this summer. Getting a little nervous to tie the knot yet?
CG: She's (Kim) been really good. Especially with wrestling – it's tough on her because it takes a lot of time. And then as far as me watching my weight, she has to deal with a lot of different things. But she's been awesome throughout the year – sometimes she'll slip in questions about the wedding, asking for my input. But I was like 'wait for March, once March hits I'll help out more.' But right now I'm just kind of a bystander (laughing). I told her she can pick out whatever colors, whatever you want to do and I'll go with it.
OMavs.com: Your first round opponent at nationals – Joey Martin, from Nebraska-Kearney. You've already faced him this year and won by technical fall, but talk a little bit about that matchup coming up on Friday.
CG: Regardless of who you're wrestling – my biggest thing is that I have to wrestle my match and warm up the same way I do in every match. Every match I warm up the same way, I've got to be consistent in my preparation and mind frame. Even though I've wrestled him before – I pinned him twice last year and teched him once this year, he's still a good kid, a returning All-American. He's got a couple good moves that can put people on their back. So I've still got to make good shots, I've still got to have good setups. If I can get my mindset flowing there, it's going to help me for each match and that's going to help me wrestle that much better in the quarters.
OMavs.com: It's your senior year, you've got your last few matches coming up, you're in front of the home crowd inside Sapp Fieldhouse at nationals – finish the story…
CG: I've already imagined myself up on that stage one last time and giving one final 'OOOSSS' after winning a national title. That's what I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks now. That's what keeps me getting up in the morning.
OMavs.com: Thanks Cody. Best of luck to you at the National Tournament.
CG: Thank you very much.
OMavs.com: You're no stranger to success on the mat, but this season you're having one of the best ever in UNO wrestling history – 45-0, 29 wins by fall. Is there anything that you did differently this season that can explain your phenomenal season?
Cody Garcia: My preparation this year was a little more intense than it was in the past. I spent more time in the weight room, which I hadn't done in the past when I was cutting down at 125 (pounds). I had to work more on my skills then, rather than my lifting and getting stronger. I think a little bit also was just having some confidence about my conditioning and my strength. You can get motivated for one last year – when you know it's your last year you can step up and be ready when you need to.
OMavs.com: You've broken all the falls records that were previously owned by Pat Kelley III. Was that one of your goals this season or did that just happen?
CG: It kind of just happened (laughing). When I came to college, I wouldn't consider myself a pinner. As I made my transition into college I realized that the mat wrestling was something I needed to get a little better at. It just fit my body style and I just kind of started to feel different things out, and I became pretty tough on top. I learned that if I was working for a fall that it was going to be a little easier for me to ride people. This year especially I've just been going out and wrestling my matches and it just sort of came to me. I knew the record was coming up, but even then I didn't think about it too much until it happened. I respect this program so much, so that in itself means a lot to me. But other than that, it's just matches.
OMavs.com: Your quickest pin this year was in 22 seconds. Do you ever go into a match thinking, 'I can end this one pretty quick?'
CG: (Laughing) As I've gotten older I learned that I can conserve myself a little more and I'm not opposed to getting off the mat a little quicker. Especially with some injuries in the past. Getting off the mat quicker was a little incentive to get the pin.
OMavs.com: With the great season that you're having, you been getting more media attention than you're probably used to. It's easy for some athletes to let that go to their head. How do you not let the extra attention get to you?
CG: Yeah there is a thin line there between confidence and cockiness. I think you do have to be confident – confident in your preparation, confident in your work out partners. I enjoy being able to be a big part of this team and to be able to be a senior leader. That's more of the element that matters to me – is being able to speak for the team and stuff. Media is media and it doesn't really change how I'm wrestling and how I'm preparing for matches. It's my senior year and I've been motivated, and I don't need any other reason to be motivated than for that last title.
OMavs.com: Most casual wrestling fans might not understand the importance of staying at or around your target weight so that you can make weight. Most other athletes, such as a basketball player doesn't have to be as concerned about what they are eating as a wrestler does. How hard is that to do each week and what does your diet usually consist of during the season?
CG: Like you said, wrestling is really unique. You've got to be highly disciplined to be successful and to do it the right way. It's physically demanding and you have to educate your self, not only on the mat but off the mat as well. Being health conscience as far as your extra workouts and how you're eating and preparing your body. Fortunately as I was growing up, I took a lot of interest in dieting and taking care of my body because I've always tried to do everything I could to be as successful as possible. I've learned a lot of different things about nutrition and I've kind of refined my diet throughout the years and each year you change it a little bit – but you kind of find your little thing. But just consistency and discipline mostly. Every morning for about five months now I've had a three egg omelet – egg whites only. Peppers, steaks, yogurt, bananas. It gets a little repetitive at times.
OMavs.com: Do you have your own personal chef then?
CG: (Laughing) I wish. I enjoy cooking and I wish I was a little better, but I have gotten a little better throughout the years for that reason. I've always been big on not eating out – I don't know if that's because I'm kind of a frugal person when it comes to finance. As long as I'm cooking it – as long as I know where it's coming from and I know what's in it. It's one of those things that you've got to look at something and be like, 'why am I eating this and how is it going to benefit me?' That's kind of how I take eating – that's the approach I take. It's just something I've got to do to fuel myself.
OMavs.com: So on Saturday night once the National Tournament is over, will you scarf down a couple cheese burgers or what's the first thing you're going to munch on that you couldn't during the season?
CG: It's funny, in wrestling a lot of times you start making these lists, either in your head or we actually write it down. Different restaurants and different commercials that you see and you're like, 'man, I haven't had a burger in a long time, Burger King has a double cheeseburger now, I'm going to have to have one of those.' Luckily after tournaments and stuff you get a break after that night, but then you start over that next day. I could definitely go for some ice cream or something like that, but we'll see what happens.
OMavs.com: You've been on some good team during your stint here at UNO. How does this season's squad compare with the others that you've been on?
CG: Each year has been unique, but it's hard to even say it because I've been on such great teams and have had good chemistry. But this one, for some reason we all just mold together and we are all unique individuals. Our personalities are different and our wrestling styles are different, but somehow we all just click together. We all just feed off of each other. Fortunately we've got great coaches, and Jacob (Marrs) and I and Bryce (Boehm) have tried to be the best leaders that we can and show the way. Especially Jacob and I lead by example more probably and I think that helps. The younger guys respect it. I think you just get confidence from each other and that's the biggest thing going into this tournament, even if you're a young guy. That's key.
OMavs.com: With your collegiate wrestling career near its end, and graduation looming, what do you hope to be doing in the future?
CG: Right now I'm just looking at the next nine days. But I enjoy wrestling and I always have. It's been a part of my life since I was four years old and this is my 20th year of wrestling so it's not like I'm going to be able to go cold turkey on it and just be done. But what ever that might entail I don't know. I'd love to coach. I love the sport. I love teaching. Right now, I'm an education major so teaching and coaching is this path I'm trying to follow. I kind of want to stick around here and learn a little more and see if I can help the team.
OMavs.com: So we could see Coach Garcia next year?
CG: Yeah, perhaps. I'll probably be about 30 pounds heavier though (laughing).
OMavs.com: You're going to be getting married this summer. Getting a little nervous to tie the knot yet?
CG: She's (Kim) been really good. Especially with wrestling – it's tough on her because it takes a lot of time. And then as far as me watching my weight, she has to deal with a lot of different things. But she's been awesome throughout the year – sometimes she'll slip in questions about the wedding, asking for my input. But I was like 'wait for March, once March hits I'll help out more.' But right now I'm just kind of a bystander (laughing). I told her she can pick out whatever colors, whatever you want to do and I'll go with it.
OMavs.com: Your first round opponent at nationals – Joey Martin, from Nebraska-Kearney. You've already faced him this year and won by technical fall, but talk a little bit about that matchup coming up on Friday.
CG: Regardless of who you're wrestling – my biggest thing is that I have to wrestle my match and warm up the same way I do in every match. Every match I warm up the same way, I've got to be consistent in my preparation and mind frame. Even though I've wrestled him before – I pinned him twice last year and teched him once this year, he's still a good kid, a returning All-American. He's got a couple good moves that can put people on their back. So I've still got to make good shots, I've still got to have good setups. If I can get my mindset flowing there, it's going to help me for each match and that's going to help me wrestle that much better in the quarters.
OMavs.com: It's your senior year, you've got your last few matches coming up, you're in front of the home crowd inside Sapp Fieldhouse at nationals – finish the story…
CG: I've already imagined myself up on that stage one last time and giving one final 'OOOSSS' after winning a national title. That's what I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks now. That's what keeps me getting up in the morning.
OMavs.com: Thanks Cody. Best of luck to you at the National Tournament.
CG: Thank you very much.
Wednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
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