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Discussion Topic: Ohio State welcomes transfer Cody Gardner
Elliot Lewis added to this discussion on May 25, 2008
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Ohio State welcomes transfer Cody Gardner
Kevin Schlosser - The O-Zone
The Buckeye wrestling team has received a lot of good news over the last few weeks and more came this weekend when Virginia Tech freshman Cody Gardner informed the coaches he has chosen to transfer to Ohio State. The top-ranked 2007 high school recruit by InterMat, Gardner anticipates being eligible to wrestle this year and hopes to make an impact on the program.
On the wrestling mat Cody Gardner’s credentials speak for themselves. A four-time Virginia state champion for Christiansburg HS; he went 182-6 winning 120 matches in a row to end his career. (38-4 as a freshman, 51-2 as a sophomore, 48-0 as a junior, and 46-0 as a senior) Gardner won over 25 tournaments in high school career picking up titles at the Ironman Tournament twice, the Beast of the East in Delaware three times, and has won championships at high level events like the POWERade Invitational in Pennsylvania and the Big Blue in Virginia.
Adding a 2006 National Junior Freestyle championship and being named the 2007 W.I.N. Magazine’s Junior Hodge Award winner to his resume, Gardner was the top ranked 215 pound wrestler in the country and one of the most sought after recruits at any weight.
Gardner initially chose to attend Virginia Tech and wrestle for the Hokies. After a short time with the team he made the decision to concentrate on his studies and explore his options after the season. With time for a well thought out decision, Gardner requested permission from Virginia Tech to look around. While he ultimately chose Ohio State; other schools Gardner considered included Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Minnesota.
With his intentions to wrestle for the Buckeyes declared and the transfer process coming to a close; Gardner is looking forward to new opportunities and new challenges as he joins transfer Dave Rella in the 2008 Ohio State recruiting class. In a telephone interview this afternoon, Gardner discussed his decision to transfer to OSU for school and to wrestle for the Buckeyes.
Can you talk about the decision to transfer?
“I think that Virginia Tech was too close to home. I lived in Christiansburg and went to high school there; Virginia Tech is only about five miles from there. I think I need to get away from home and get into a college atmosphere, I didn’t really feel like I was in college here. I think the change will be good.”
What were you looking for in a school?
“I was looking for a school that I felt comfortable with. I went on a couple of visits and I felt most comfortable with Ohio State. It is all about comfort if you are in a situation where you are not comfortable with. I don’t think you can be as successful and that is what this change is about.”
What other programs did you look at?
“I talked to Iowa State a little bit; I went on a visit to Oklahoma State and also considered Minnesota. I knew I was going to get the chance to wrestle for a top-five program and I made the right choice with Ohio State.”
What stood out about Ohio State?
“They are an up and coming program, they are in Ohio and that is a pretty rich wrestling state. I really believe that they are going to do big things in the next few year. They are building something special at Ohio State.”
How much of a role did wrestling on a title contending team play into your decision?
“It helps, when you are in an atmosphere where everyone else is winning you can feed off each other. My high school team was real good so I know a little about that. We were a real good dual team and when everyone gets going together you can feed off each others energy.”
Did workout partners like Mike Pucillo, J.D. Bergman, Tommy Rowlands affect your decision?
“Of course it affects my decision. You are not going to get better unless you are working out with the best. Those are certainly some great workout partners and I should get a lot better because of those guys.”
When will you start classes at Ohio State?
“I am going to try to get in for some summer school. There are only a few weeks to get the paperwork in and through but hopefully in the middle of June if things work out.”
Have you selected a major at OSU?
“I am not sure yet. A lot of guys will pick their major and change it. I am just going to take some general classes and see what I am interested in.”
What weight do you anticipate wrestling this season?
“I weigh about 210 right now but I haven’t lifted in a couple of months. I am going to start lifting and see what my body does. I will see how much weight I gain but I could stay the same. I will be between 197 and heavyweight to start.”
What eligibility will you have left?
“I will be coming in as redshirt freshman.”
Will you look to wrestle right away?
“I’m going to look to compete right off the bat. I didn’t wrestle a lot this year and I am hungry to compete. I don’t want to sit out.”
What does it mean to you to be a Buckeye?
“It means a lot. I am excited to see what I can do. I am very optimistic.”
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State welcomes transfer Cody Gardner
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on May 25, 2008
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Buckeyes have added a number of big men this offseason...Hiles, Walsh and Gardner. The latter two are tweeners (197 or 285).
Gardner appears to be a really nice signing but I will sound a note of caution. He was a great talent a few years ago but lost interest his first time round (i'm sure there were circumstances of which I'm unaware). If his heart is in it, he's a fine prospect. But that's a reasonable question to ask at this point.
We'll find out. Certainly, it's exciting to consider how much talent he adds to the roster.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State welcomes transfer Cody Gardner
Roe Fox added to this discussion on May 27, 2008
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Hank:
I was thinking about this same issue regarding "lost interest." It seems to me that someone who really lost interest in wresting wouldn't be looking to go to TOSU, OSU, ISU or Minn., high caliber wrestling schools where the stakes are only going to get bigger.
I don't know (and perhaps don't really care in the end) but maybe it was just some well-intentioned spin so that the parties could go there separate ways without a lot of acrimony. Unlike what seems to have happened at PSU.
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