ST. LOUIS — J’den Cox rolled onto his back as the crowd roared in the background.
His body shook as he placed his hands over his face.
Cox had just become Missouri’s first three-time national champion in school history after an 8-2 victory over Minnesota’s Brett Pfarr. In that moment, all of the work he put in over the past season meant his final Missouri wrestling goal was realized.
“I did it,” Cox said. “I pushed through everything to get here. And that’s the best feeling.”
Cox walked off the mat into the arms of coach Brian Smith, whom he has known since Smith coached him in youth football. The two embraced for a moment before Cox held up a “three” to the Missouri section.
“In those moments I just hugged him and it was just a moment of happiness and just joy and fulfillment,” Cox said.
Unlike Cox’s previous championship bouts, this one was never in question. Cox jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period and never looked back.
He continued dominating throughout the match, never allowing Pfarr to land a takedown. The only time the Gopher scored any points was when he managed to slip out of Cox’s grasp.
Cox’s focus now moves back to life as a student and a resident of Columbia. He hopes to share his success with the Missouri community.
“I’m definitely going to take this time to focus in on my education,” Cox said. “As far as what else I can do with the community, I’d love to go around and either spread my knowledge with wrestling or go around and talk with people.”
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