Cody Sandridge made his mark on Republic wrestling. Now he’ll try to make it at the next level. Sandridge has signed to wrestle at Pacific University in Oregon.
“It’s right next to the West Coast. It’s close to the mountains. I love the atmosphere out there. The campus is small. It’s in a small town but it’s close to Portland,” Sandridge says. “I really like the coach. That’s what sold it for me. He reminds me of Coach(es) Swope and Morton–laid back style but he’ll still push you when he needs to.”
The move to Oregon will take Sandridge far away from friends and family, and from the wrestling program where he became the first four-time state qualifier, a three-time state medalist, and a three-time academic all-state selection.
“His time here at Republic High School has been great…both in the classroom and on the mat,” says coach Jerry Morton. “I think it will be many years before we have another Cody Sandridge coming through Republic High School’s doors.”
Sandridge says the level of competition is what he’s looking forward to the most.
“I’m really looking forward to wrestling some good matches, because every match at the college level is going to be a tough one,” he says. “It’s no more pins and quick matches. They’re all going to be close 3-2 matches.”