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Click Here 48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 6, 2004 Crater�s Cody Clark, left, wrestles against teammate Ron Lee during practice. Clark enters today�s district meet as the top seed in the Southern Oregon Conference at 189 pounds. Lee enters the district meet as the top seed at 171 pounds. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Clark on the cusp of a title Crater’s 189-pound sophomore aims for district crown when SOC meet begins today By DON HUNT Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Cody Clark is regarded as one of the best athletes to ever put on a wrestling uniform at Crater High. He also possesses one of the best work ethics. Add intelligence to the mix — he carries a 3.57 grade point average — and it’s easy to see why the Crater coaches beam with pride every time Clark’s name is mentioned. "You watch him wrestle in practice, and it’s like you’re watching a college kid — that’s how intense and focused he is," Comets assistant coach Nathan Winner says. Advertisement And to think that Clark is only a sophomore. The 189-pound standout will take aim at his first Southern Oregon Conference district title today at Grants Pass High when the two-day district wrestling meet kicks off at 11 a.m. Clark burst from obscurity last year when, as a 171-pound freshman, he finished third at district and eighth at the Class 4A state tournament. "You don’t see many freshmen placing in the upper weights at state, but Cody was talented enough and tough enough to do it," Crater head coach Greg Haga says. "What he did last year was impressive, but truthfully, he wasn’t all that thrilled with eighth place. When he gets on the victory stand, he likes a better view of things than that." Clark has posted a 21-4 record this season with 16 falls. Two of his losses came at the Reno (Nev.) Tournament of Champions, which is regarded as the top high school wrestling tournament in the nation. His only loss in Oregon came against 215-pound strongman Andrue Ditty of Grants Pass, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the third period to record a 6-2 victory over the Comet star. Never mind that Clark had a broken big toe at the time — an injury that put him on the sidelines for more than a week. "Cody is one of the most athletic big kids I’ve coached," says Haga, now in his 15th season as the Comets head coach. "He runs well, he’s got good range and great leverage. And when he gets on top of a kid, he’ll ride him forever." Clark’s greatest asset, though, might be his conditioning. He works out nearly every day with Ron Lee, the Comets’ indefatigable 171- pounder. "I feel like I can go hard for three rounds with anyone," says Clark, a quiet and respectful lad. "If it gets to the third round and it’s close, I feel confident that I’m going to win." Clark, who is also an accomplished football player, attended middle school in Medford. He transferred to Crater to enroll in its Future Farmers of America classes. "I’ve been involved with 4H and FFA since the fourth grade," Clark says. "I’ve taken animals to the (Jackson County) fair. "I just thought Crater would be a good fit for me." No one in Central Point would argue. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times