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02/06/2019 11:00 PMFor the past three years, Cody McHenry has been a staple on the Branford wrestling team who’s seen tremendous success in a variety of weight classes. Cody has competed anywhere between the 138- and 220-pound divisions since his freshman season and boasts an overall record of 86-19 for his career.
Last year, Cody took third place in the 170-pound bracket at the SCC Championship and then finished fifth in the Class M State Championship. This season, the junior captain is primarily wrestling in the 195 division, but has also been bumped up to 220 when the Hornets needed someone to fill that spot. Cody has a record of 35-4 on the year.
Head Coach Jesse Hurlburt says that Cody has defied the odds by putting together winning campaigns while moving up about 20 pounds each season.
“He came back this year 25 pounds heavier and really hasn’t skipped a beat. In fact, he’s been more dominant this year than in any other previous year,” says Hurlburt. “I think a lot of it is his attitude. He’s fearless and relentless on the mat, and he’s going to give 100 percent. His mindset is, ‘I’m going to win,’ and he’s going to do everything he can to achieve it.”
Cody echoes Coach Hurlburt’s sentiments by saying that he fears no one when it’s time to step into the arena. That fearless mentality has helped Cody rack up a plethora of six-point pinfall victories for the Hornets. He’s undefeated against Southern Connecticut Conference competition this year.
“I like going out onto the mat each match and knowing I’m going to dominate the guy, no matter what. That’s the mindset I’ve always had,” Cody says. “I’m going to bring everything I have. I go out there for six, not three, so that’s big.”
Cody features a rare combination of power and speed that prove a huge help to him during matches. Cody still employs some of the techniques that he learned while wrestling in the 138 weight class. He says that leg riding and the chicken wing are two of his go-to moves.
“Leg riding is I’m looking to get points. I figure-four the leg, put my fist in his face, and tilt him back to the mat, so his back is arched the other way from me. I’m basically getting two or three points every time I put him on his back,” says Cody. “For the chicken wing, I grind his triceps and wrist and switch to an arm bar. When I under-hook him, I’m able to run it.”
Cody was named a captain for Branford this year, and he truly cherishes holding that role. Even when he isn’t out there competing, Cody makes sure that he cheers on his teammates during their bouts.
“It’s an honor. It really means a lot to have the constant support of my coaches, family, and teammates,” Cody says. “I couldn’t do it without the team. It’s an individual sport, but it’s a team sport with encouraging each other.”
Cody is striving to be both a state champion and a State Open champion, in addition to competing at the New England Championship, before his high school career is finished. Cody says he feels fortunate to have received so much support throughout the years, especially from Coach Hurlburt, Ben Callahan, Blair Tugman, Craig Kenney, and the entire Branford CrossFit community.
“The support from my family, coaches, and teammates have been a key to my success,” says Cody. “Wrestling is a sport I will carry as my identity. It’s a sport like no other.”