Cody Richmond- Liberty University- NCWA All-American

[Deerhuntr]

Cody Richmond , former wrestler at Shady Spring High School placed 7th at the NCWA National Championships yesterday in Allen, Texas earning All American status. Cody is the first wrestler from Shady to earn All American honors at the collegiate level and it shows what hard work, heart and determination can do. Cody is a success story and if anyone ever deserves this it is this fine young man. He missed the podium in the state tournament his senior season and this shows that when you dream big , big things happen.

He lost in the blood round at the national tournament in 2018. He had made a promise to his grandfather that he would earn All American in his grandfathers last day and the 2018 blood round was a heartbreak. This isn't the end of the story, in May of 2018 his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy in August and Cody was ready to give up wrestling as his mom battled cancer but thru encouragement of his mother, teammates and coaches he dedicated this season to her.

In March 2019 he was in the semi finals of the Mid Atlantic Conference tournament and broke his hand in the first period, he wrestled the next two periods with a broken hand and won the match, he did take a medical forfeit in the championship match and placed 2nd at the conference.

At the national tournament this past weekend he was seeded 12th out of 64, first and 2nd round falls, scored 8-5 win over #5 seed in round of 16 but lost 10-3 in the quarters moving him to the blood round.

Many in the arena said that this was one of the most intense matches of the tournament with Cody down 8- 3 but continuing to battle with a broken hand against and kid from UMASS. At the end of regulation Cody tied it at 13-13 by securing riding time and it took 3 overtimes before Cody won on a take down with seconds to go in the third overtime. To see a grown man break down and cry on the mat because of the goal had been achieved, a promise to his grand dad and to show his mom to never give up moved the entire arena.

He went on to win his 7th place match 10-5, his hand was broke but his heart was healing!!!!!

This truly shows what great character this sport develops

Long story but with purpose. As Cody stated "a made promise and a mother in the fight for her life , there was no way I was quitting" broken hand on not, he left everything he had on the mat in the blood round and showed the true heart of a wrestler, many in the stands were shocked once the story was told and a lot of tears were shed because of it.

For those with dreams, hard work and heart can move mountains. I know a lot of the college wrestlers and even some of the high school programs know Cody and how hard he works not only in the wrestling room but in all aspects of life and this would be a great example for many of the younger wrestlers that maybe don't think they can ever make the climb.

[EASwrestling]

Great Story! Heard about this kid a couple of years ago, and been checking on him ever since. Congratulations Cody, you should be very proud of your accomplishment. The "People of WV" should be too. I can only imagine all the hard work that you have put in. RESPECT!!!