Rouse is pleased by national showing

Jackson High School senior Cody Rouse may have come away from the ASICS/Vaughan Junior National Greco-Roman wrestling tournament in Fargo, N.D., last week without the All-American finish he coveted, but he still had many positive things to take away from the largest Junior National Greco-Roman tournament ever held.

Rouse said just the experience of taking part in the tournament and seeing some familiar faces was worth the trip.

"I was glad I got to go, I missed out last year," he said.

Last week's tournament drew 946 participants, surpassing the 2002 record of 914. Rouse finished the tournament with a 3-2 record, losing to the eventual runner-up. In his 152-pound weight class alone, Rouse had 81 other wrestlers he was competing with.

"It was pretty stiff competition," Rouse said. "It wasn't easy, but I didn't think it would be."

Rouse won his first two matches before dropping a controversial decision 3-2 in his third match. Despite the tough loss, Rouse still nearly made it to the medal rounds and finished in the top 20.

While a win in his third match would not have guaranteed him a spot in the medal rounds, Rouse said his path certainly would have been a lot clearer.

"I would have had a lot better chance of making it through that round," he said.

After competing in Greco-Roman in Fargo, Rouse will go back to freestyle for the high school season. Rouse is certainly not done with Greco-Roman yet, though, as he is still eligible for the youth tournament next year.

Rouse said he learned a lot at the tournament, and hopes to train in St. Louis next year so he can achieve his goal of earning All-American status.

"I really don't have anyone to train with around here," he said.