Postseason Q&A with Cody Brewer

OU wrestling redshirt senior Cody Brewer had quite the Big 12 tournament, winning his second consecutive 133-pound crown and being named the championship's Most Outstanding Wrestler. But Brewer isn't done yet, as he looks to defend his national title next week inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.

We caught up with Brewer to discuss the Big 12 Championship, his postseason training and what he expects for the NCAA tournament.

Q: Were you happy with the team's performance at the Big 12 Championship and how can that build momentum for NCAAs?

A: “I thought it was good. That's kind of where we expected to be almost. We knew Oklahoma State would be really tough. I thought we wrestled really well. A lot of the guys beat some great opponents and wrestled well. (Ryan) Millhof won it and we had guys in the finals and guys on the podium, so it was great. The guys who ended up wrestling on the back side of the bracket looked great and they wrestled tough to get back to where they were. I think it gives us great confidence heading into the NCAA tournament.”

Q: What were your emotions like after finding out you were the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Big 12 tournament?
Cody Brewer A: “It was awesome. That's an honor to be in that spot. There are a lot of great wrestlers here and there's a guy from Oklahoma State who's a two-time national champ, and you think those guys are going to get it. There are a lot of guys who wrestled well in the tournament, but for them to say I was the best of the tournament was pretty awesome. It's something I'll always remember being at the conference tournament like that, and it will be cool to look back and say that the last year I was there that I was the best guy there.”

Q: Did you like the addition of the new teams in the conference tournament this year?
A: “It was a great addition for the conference to add more teams. I think it helps get guys ready because in the past it was a one-day tournament so this year we're getting more of an NCAA feel and it helps the guys out knowing what to expect. I really liked the conference tournament this year, and all the new teams are great teams, so it made the competition better also.”

Q: What has your training been like this week preparing for the NCAA Championships?
A: “Training has been a little lighter than it has been in a while, which is great. Coach Cody always preaches taking time off to get prepared and that you should only peak at one time during the year and that should be at NCAAs. He knows the process of what we have to go through. I'm feeling good. I feel healthy and ready as far as that goes. As a team, I think we're ready. The six guys who are going are really motivated and the other guys in the room are doing a good job of pushing everyone, and I think that's a big part that people don't realize is how much the guys who aren't going contribute to the success of the guys who are going.” Cody Brewer

Q: Do you feel any pressure going into NCAAs as the defending national champion?
A: “I have a little bit of pressure. I think that's needed having pressure going into the tournament. People know who I am this year. But I'm also feeling a little relaxed knowing that it's my last time going out there. I'm trying to enjoy the moment and have fun with it. I think people stress out a little too much. It's still wrestling and it's still a match, so nothing changes as far as that goes.”

Q: How special is it to wrestle for the final time at a place like Madison Square Garden?
A: “It's a famous arena and a lot of great things have happened there. It will be really cool to go out there. Not many people can say they wrestle in Madison Square Garden, and for it to be my last time, that's pretty special to end my career there. I got lucky ending my career at two great places in Kansas City and New York City. We wrestle in New York quite a bit, but we've never wrestled in a place like Madison Square Garden, so it will be a fun experience for us.”

Players Mentioned

Cody Brewer

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics