Devastating losses have fueled Cannon

"In terms of work ethic, he's up there with anyone I've coached … up there with Brad Vering, Mark Munoz, Rulon Gardner, Tolly Thompson."

"He's similar to Josh Glenn -- really stands out in my room filled with hard workers."

Mike Cannon

Those are the words of Mark Cody, head wrestling coach at American University for the past six seasons, and, before that, long-time upper-weights coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, talking about American's 165-pound starter, Mike Cannon.

It's pretty heady stuff for a sophomore to be mentioned in the same breath as some legendary NCAA champs, All-Americans and Olympians from the Cornhuskers and the Eagles that Cody has coached. But it's all in a day's work for Mike Cannon, who has been ranked in the top ten in the 165-pound weight class by RevWrestling.com for most of the season.

A hard worker, from the start

Ask Mike Cannon about his work ethic, and he says, "It's a core value of mine. It was instilled by my dad, who wrestled in high school and has officiated for about twenty years. I'd ask him about what I needed to do to get better. The only way to get better is to work harder."

"Sitting around pouting wasn't going to take me to the next level."

"Working hard has also helped me develop my confidence, which has helped me become a better wrestler," Mike adds.

Mike Cannon was introduced to wrestling by his father, Matthew. "He kept asking if I'd like to get started in the sport," says the native of Mechanicsville, Maryland. "I took it up when I was nine years old. I loved it from the start."

"In high school, I set goals every year, and came up short every year. I hated coming up short. It was almost devastating."

"In my junior year, my losses in the regionals and conference were one-point losses -- really tough."

"Now I see those devastating losses as what fueled me to work harder, to train harder."

"My senior year was my best year," according to Mike. "I was undefeated that year. I had no points scored on me at the state tournament."

Mike concluded his prep career at Chopticon High School with a 140-17 overall record, and a Maryland state title. He was a four-year letterwinner and named team captain three times. In addition, he was named Student of the Year and earned P.E. Athlete of the Year honors … all while developing a 3.6 grade point average.

Becoming an American Eagle

"I told myself I wanted to wrestle in college, " according to Mike. "For a long time, I cast a wide net, thinking about schools all over. Then, in my senior year, I wanted to be closer to home, so that my family could continue to support me and attend my wrestling matches."

Mike Cannon is currently 26-3 this season

"I knew I wanted to compete in Division I. I looked at (University of) Maryland, George Mason, and American University. I visited all three schools … I loved the team, and the campus. I really liked Mark Cody's attitude and work ethic. He wants to win national championships."

"I couldn't have made a better decision," continues the Eagle sophomore. "I don't think I'd be having the same level of success elsewhere."

"Coach Cody wants us to be well-rounded, disciplined athletes. Be a good student, respectful. That fits my goals."

"Mike is a very well-rounded individual," says Mark Cody. "He was an Academic All-American last year."

"He's incredibly focused in practice. He's a year 'round wrestler, working hard to get better. That's why he is where he is right now."

Flying high in college

In is first year on the American University campus in Washington, D.C., Mike Cannon took a redshirt, and compiled a 15-7 record for the 2005-06 season in open tournaments. He won the 157-pound title at the Millersburg Open, and placed at the long-running Wilkes tournament.

In his first year of official collegiate competition, Mike moved up to the 165-pound weight class, and compiled an overall record of 29-8. Among the high points of the 2006-07 season: won the Keystone Classic, and placed eighth at the 2006 Midlands (only the fifth Eagle to place at the prestigious Christmastime tournament). At the 2007 EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Conference) championships, Mike was the first seed at 165. He pinned his first opponent in just over a minute, then got 5-2 and 5-3 victories to find himself in the finals against Steve Anceravage of Cornell. Mike lost 9-6, but his finalist status at the EIWAs earned him a tenth seed at the 2007 NCAAs, where he went 2-2 in the national championships.

As for Mike's redshirt sophomore season, of this writing, he's built up a 26-3 record. At the 2008 EIWA conference championships on March 8-9, Mike lost to Zach Shanaman of the University of Pennsylvania in the semifinals, but bounced back in the wrestlebacks, pinning Navy's Justin Jacobs in 55 seconds. In the consolation finals, the Eagle 165-pounder defeated Bucknell's Andy Rendos, 5-2, to place third … qualifying for the 2008 NCAA tournament.

A sense of style

When asked to describe his wrestling style, Mike Cannon responds, "I'm a grinder. I keep going. If you wrestle me, you're in for a dog fight."

Mark Cody

Mike mentioned that he's one of those wrestlers who was once small -- having competed at 103 pounds as a high school freshman -- which he believes has shaped him into the competitor he is today. "As you grow and progress, your style changes somewhat. As you're lighter, you tend to be faster, more agile, relying more on technique," says the 165-pounder. "Now, at this weight, in the college ranks, it tends to be more muscle-oriented, with strength being more of a factor."

"I'd like to think that I still have some of that agility of a lightweight, which helps in taking on guys my size."

Ask American's head coach Mark Cody to assess Mike Cannon's style, and his immediate response: "He's in great shape. Very explosive. Great on top, really puts a lot of pressure on top. His long body-build opens up lots of offense."

Success in the classroom … and beyond

Mike Cannon's considerable work ethic that's demonstrated in the practice room and on the wrestling mat is also on display in the classroom at American University. He earned Academic All-American honors last year; in his first semester this season, Mike earned a 3.3 GPA and made the Dean's List.

Mike is majoring in business accounting, with a minor in Spanish. "I really liked Spanish in high school, and have a great time in my Spanish classes in college," Mike discloses. "I hope to be able to use it in the business world."

Someone who works this hard in academics and athletics doesn't have a lot of free time … but when Mike has some downtime, "I go back home and hang out with my family. Or I spend time with my friends here at school -- maybe go to a movie, or to the Mall in Washington … I really like the outdoors -- camping, hiking."

Cannon charts his course

As for his plans after graduation, Mike Cannon says, "I can see starting my career in an accounting firm, though I'm also considering a high school coaching position, or maybe as an assistant in a college program. Right now, my future isn't exactly crystal-clear."

"I can see myself helping out at my high school, helping my brothers." (Mike is the oldest of eight brothers -- there are three older sisters, too -- with all of the boys who are already in school following in big brother Mike's footsteps as wrestlers.)

Ask Mike to envision what kind of coach he might be, and he replies, "I would incorporate what I've learned from my coaches throughout the years."

Mike Cannon finished third at the 2008 EIWA Championships

"What I've learned from (Coach) Cody is golden. He's been here six years, and you can see the success he's having."

A decision about which career path to take -- coaching, accounting, or a combination of the two -- is a number of years away. As for more immediate concerns, Mike says his main wrestling goal right now is "to win a national championship -- bottom line. I'm a sophomore, so, ideally, I'd want to win three NCAA titles."

Mark Cody thinks it's possible. "Mike's very capable of winning a national title, even this year."

That's from a coach who's guided more than his share of individuals who've won All-American honors and NCAA championships, including titlewinners Tolly Thompson and Brad Vering at Nebraska, and, just last year, Josh Glenn, who brought home the 197-pound crown to American University -- the school's first-ever.

Thanks to his never-quit wrestling style and solid work ethic, Mike Cannon may join that elite list someday -- and make it two for the Eagles.

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