American's Mike Cannon

Lost in the midst of the Iowa/Iowa State showdown at the Midlands was the victory at 174lbs by American University's Mike Cannon.  The Eagles grappler was the only wrestler not from a Big 10 or Big 12 school to win a title.  Cannon is the second wrestler in school history to win a Midlands title and only the fourth All-American ever from AU.  D1CW recently got to chat with Mike who is currently undefeated and ranked #2 in the nation.

D1CW: Mike, So far this season you are undefeated and fresh off of a Midlands Championship.  How do you feel about you season so far?

Mike Cannon: So far it's going according to plan.  From day one my goal has been a national championship.  Winning Midlands was a big confidence boost.

D1CW: How important was it for you to win the Midlands Championship?  I feel that many people may underestimate you since you are not from a "traditional wrestling powerhouse".

MC: It was very important.  Like I said before,  the main goal is a national championship, but winning Midlands was up there too.  Growing up, the two tournaments that I watched on TV were the NCAA's and the Midlands.  I remember watching guys like Joe Williams and Brad Vering wrestle at the Midlands and hoped I would be able to wrestle there someday.  It's definitely a great accomplishment and something that I am proud of.

D1CW: In your finals match against Mike Miller of CMU, a big reason for your victory was your scrambling ability.  Where does that come from?

MC: Lots of practice, trial and error!  I was kind of funky in high school, but I have really improved here in college.  I've learned to keep my hips up and stay calm.  You can't be nervous or scared if you are on your back momentarily.  I have had a lot of experience in practice with scramble situations, so that I don't get scared during matches.

D1CW: Prior to this season you moved up a weight class to 174.  Have you noticed any differences at the new weight? 

MC: 174 seems like a good weight for me.  It has been easier for me making weight.  Competition-wise, I still have the same mentality and approach and all of the same rules still apply.  It's D1 wrestling, so I can't say that one weight is easier or tougher than the other because every weight has talent.  But yes, I do like 174 better

D1CW: Where have you grown the most as a wrestler during your college career?  You were ranked 29th at your weight class as a high school senior, redshirted then made the NCAA tournament as a freshman, and then earned All-American honors as a sophomore.

MC: One big thing has been believing in myself and my abilities.  My coaches also have really helped.  Mark Cody was a big reason why I decided to go to American.  I loved his coaching style and I knew of his credentials, coaching at Nebraska and Oklahoma State.  I felt like he would get the very best out of me.  I knew that I have a strong work ethic and if I had the right coaching I would have success. 

D1CW: You have earned All-American honors in the classroom as well as on the wrestling mat.  What factors have led to your success in both areas?

MC: Just staying focused on my goals.  Wrestling is great, but it won't last forever.  At some point, I'll have to go out into the real world and get a job.  My family has always pushed us to get good grades.  Coach has also set a goal for us to keep a 3.0 GPA as a team.

D1CW: Coming out of high school, why did you choose to attend American?

MC: The biggest reason was Coach Cody.  I felt like he would be the guy who could take me to the next level.  AU is also close to home for me.  It's only about an hour and a half away.  That's good because I can get home easily if I need to, but it's far enough away where I won't be home all of the time.  My family is really important to me and I am happy that my dad is able to see all of my matches.  He has been the biggest influence in my wrestling career.

D1CW: Speaking of your family, I hear that you have a rather large one....

MC: Yes, I am number four of fifteen kids.  There are three older sisters, myself, a younger brother, another sister, then nine boys in a row!!

D1CW: Is there anything else that you would like people to know about you?

MC: Just that, I give my glory to God.  He has blessed me throughout my life.

D1CW: Thanks Mike!