MADRID — For all the accolades he has collected, Madrid junior Cody Fisher remains a quiet, modest young man.
Already 102-9 in two prep seasons, the two-time state runner-up at 195 pounds announced over the weekend he would continue his grappling career for Iowa State University, a major pickup for the Cyclone recruiting class of 2020.
Fisher wrestles for Woodward-Granger as part of a sharing program. He stormed onto the big stage as a freshman with a 46-6 record, then went 56-3 as a sophomore. Both seasons ended in championship match losses to Bryce Esmoil of West Liberty, two years Fisher’s elder and now a wrestler for the University of Northern Iowa.[wpedon id=”85410″ align=”left”]
The standout has been receiving well-wishes all weekend, both in person and through social media. He has certain it would continue when school resumes today.
“I am sure I will have to talk about it all day, but that is OK … I appreciate the support,” Fisher said. “It is nice to know people are happy for me. I am just glad to have my choice made and not have to worry about it.”
Fisher is rated the third-best junior in all of Iowa and 13th overall, both rankings that will likely rise. Just don’t ask him to talk about it.
“I really just let my wrestling talk for me,” he said. “I am proud of what I have accomplished, but I have nine losses and have plenty of goals I still want to achieve.”
W-G head coach Dave Smeltzer and assistant Jay Gohn were given credit by Fisher for helping him develop his skills and for their guidance.
Fisher is recovering from shoulder surgery to repair a nagging injury. He expects to be medically cleared in the upcoming few days.
“It isn’t going to be an issue now,” he said. “I have been rehabbing pretty hard and have no doubt I will be completely ready for the season.”
Fisher has drawn attention on the national level as well, having finished seventh in freestyle and eighth in greco-roman wrestling at the Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D.[wpedon id=”85410″ align=”left”]
A visit to Iowa State to explore what he could about the program, combined with the opportunity to attend college on scholarship, helped make the decision an easy one.
“I just knew right away it was the place for me,” he said. “I was comfortable and liked what I saw and heard. I knew Iowa State was going to be my choice, so why wait?”
Wrestling comes down to one individual against another, of course, but Fisher was quick to note that there was much more than that involved.
“I have had great coaching and support, from family and friends and people who I don’t even know personally, and it all means a lot,” he said. “I can relax knowing where I am going to be two years from now, but that won’t stop me from focusing on the present. When you have success it kind of makes you a target, but I am fine with that, because it means I must be doing things right. My goal is to keep doing those things and to get better with each match.”
Already a two-time state runner-up and 102-9, the prospect Fisher believes he can be even better should make W-G (and Madrid) backers smile. You can bet they are already smiling in Ames.
