It took J’den Cox 105 matches as a Missouri wrestler to win 100 matches. The 197-pounder, who is only a junior, became the 24th and the fastest Tiger to reach 100 wins after a 16-7 major decision victory over Nebraska’s Aaron Studebaker on Sunday.
“I didn’t really know about it until my mom told me about it,” Cox said. “It’s really cool. I always look to push myself in every way I can. That’s the way I’ve always been in anything I do. The accomplishment in itself is a testament to that hard work.”
No. 11 Missouri traveled to an old rival’s home mat in Lincoln, Nebraska, to compete in a National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals series matchup. The team was able to come away with a win, defeating the No. 11 Huskers 19-14.
Cox scored seven takedowns in the first two periods of his match, allowing him to take a dominant lead over Studebaker. With only five losses his entire collegiate career, Cox has shown that consistency ever since he stepped onto the mat as a Tiger.
“To get 100 wins by your junior year is hard to get,” coach Brian Smith said. “It shows he’s very consistent. I think for him it’s nice to have, but his goal is much larger than that. I’m sure he could care less about how many wins he has as long as he wins a national title. That’s all that really matters to him and helping out his team.”
MU graduates Ben Askren and Alan Waters are the only other Missouri wrestlers to reach 100 wins before their senior years. Askren went on to become Missouri’s first national champion in 2006, and Waters finished as high as third in the nation.
Cox, who now has a record of 25-1 on the season and 15-1 in dual matches, is looking towards NCAA Championships in March and another national title. He became the fourth Missouri wrestler to win a title during the 2013-14 season, when he was a freshman. Last year, he lost in the semifinal round to Ohio State’s Kyle Snyder. This year, Cox is looking to redeem himself.
Cox said he is truly grateful for the team atmosphere at Missouri and he plans to keep working as hard as he can to help his team out as the MAC Championships and NCAA Championships approach.
“I wouldn’t have got to where I am today without my team around me pushing me and driving me to become a better wrestler every day,” Cox said. “It’s hard to do this sport alone, to have a great group of teammates and coaches around me is a blessing.”
Missouri will travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan, for the MAC Championships March 5-6. The Tigers will be looking for their fourth consecutive title and fifth conference title overall in the tournament. From there, based on place finish at the MAC Championships, individual wrestlers will head to New York City for the NCAA Championships and the chances to win national titles in their respective weight classes.
“All the work we’ve been putting in and the tough competition is all preparation for this time of the season,” Smith said. “We’re prepared, our mindset going in is that this is our tournament and we have to dominate. We have the mentality we’ve had all year and need to carry that momentum we gain at conference with us to New York.”
_Edited by Alec Lewis | alewis@themaneater.com_