Sports Talk: Maker of American History

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WHILE BEING HONORED DURING his last home match earlier this month, American University wrestling phenom Josh Glenn could have been reminiscing about becoming AU's first Division I NCAA champion last spring. Or he could have been thinking back to his five years in Tenleytown — or his 102-12 record. Glenn, though, says he was simply thinking of his next match.

Five years ago, Glenn, then the fourth-ranked wrestler in the country, almost went elsewhere. There was tough competition to sign him, but in the end he chose to be an Eagle because of his coach, Mark Cody.

It was a big snag for Cody because Glenn has resurrected a struggling program. Since red-shirting as a freshman, he has won more than 100 matches, and he remains unbeaten in his last 35, heading into Thursday's dual meet at Binghampton (N.Y.), the last dual meet of his career.

This year, Glenn is 11-0 and is currently ranked No. 1 in the country in his weight class. He will likely go into next month's NCAA wrestling championships as the favorite to repeat as the 197-pound champion.

The humble senior credits his success to his coaches and teammates, but Cody says Josh is an ideal student athlete. "He has been one of the most coachable wrestlers I have ever worked with," Cody says.

Glenn has been the face of the AU wrestling program for the past four years. Even though his time at AU is not quite over ("I feel I have a real good shot to repeat [at NCAAs]," he says. "That's what I am here to do — win."), he says he would like to continue to help the team off the mat once is career comes to a close.

"I would love to coach," Glenn said. "I want to help this program build on my achievements and make them into a national contender."

Written by Express contributor Drew Rifkin
Photo by Express contributor Pallavi Shah