American University's Josh Glenn poised for run at second straight NCAA title
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
11/07/2007

 Brad Vering’s first encounter on the mat against Josh Glenn was not a pleasant one.

Glenn did not seem to care a whole lot that Vering was a past NCAA champion who also has competed in the Olympic Games and the World Championships.

“The first time I wrestled him he threw me right on my back,” Vering said. “I thought ‘Holy cow, this kid is an animal.’ He has really long arms, he’s really funky and he’s an unbelievable pinner. He has a lot of moves he can catch you with.”

Vering, a 2007 World silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, has seen first-hand just how tough, talented and tenacious Glenn is on the wrestling mat. Vering serves as a part-time coach at American University.

The talented, explosive Glenn has taken full advantage of the influences of Vering, American head coach Mark Cody and assistant coach Joe Henson. Glenn finished the 2006-07 college season perched atop the medal stand after winning the NCAA title at 197 pounds at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich.

“Winning the national title was everything I expected it to be – it was great,” Glenn said. “I have had a lot of great coaches who helped me get to that point. They’ve just been tremendous.”

Now Glenn takes aim at repeating his historic feat. He starts this season ranked No. 1 and hopes to end it that way at the 2008 NCAA Championships in St. Louis.

Cody marvels at what Glenn achieved last March in becoming the first NCAA champion in American’s history.

“Josh does 100 percent of what you ask of him and he takes everything to heart,” Cody said. “Wrestlers like that are few and far between. He basically lives the life of a champion. He doesn’t drink, and he’s very disciplined outside the room. He eats well and takes care of himself. He’s a very nice, very likeable person who is very down to earth.

“He’s also an excellent student – a double major who carries a 3.2 GPA. And he really is a great leader for us. He wants the other guys on the team to win just as much as he does.”

Glenn entered the 2006 NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City as the No. 1 seed at 184 pounds. He was upset 8-7 in the semifinals by eventual champion Shane Webster of Oregon. Glenn finished fourth.

“Josh was wrestling with a pretty substantial injury,” Cody said. “He had two tears in his labrum in his shoulder.”

After underdoing shoulder surgery, Glenn bumped up to 197 last season. He entered the NCAAs as the No. 2 seed behind Missouri freshman Max Askren. Glenn avenged his only loss of the season by downing Iowa State’s Kurt Backes in the finals.

Glenn pulled out a 6-4 win over Backes in overtime. Backes had pinned Glenn earlier in the season in the semifinals at the Midlands Championships.

The national title Glenn won has done wonders for the American program.

“Kids see what Josh did and know now that they can go to American University and win a national championship,” Cody said.

Glenn now is trying to become the school’s first two-time national champion.

“Josh is constantly looking to improve and get better,” Cody said. “Even when he wins, he is looking for ways to become a better wrestler. He is a real student of the sport.”

Glenn was asked how different it will be competing as a returning national champion this year.

“I don’t think it’s going to be any different,” he said. “What I do this year isn’t going to change because of what I’ve done in the past. I will just keep doing what I do.”

So what makes Glenn so successful?

“Josh is very dangerous,” Cody said. “He has several different attacks on the feet. If you get in a scramble with him he usually ends up on top. He’s very well-versed in the top and bottom positions as well. He’s very explosive and can score from any position on the mat.”

Over the past two seasons, Glenn has scored bonus points in 40 of his 61 wins. He recorded a major decision and two pins en route to the NCAA finals last season.

Glenn is 91-12 in his college career.

Glenn has taken full advantage of the athletic scholarship he earned at American University, which is located in Washington, D.C. He has a double major in pre-Law and U.S. foreign policy. He interned this past summer for an intelligence organization in Washington.

Glenn is one of three returning national qualifiers for American. Sophomores Mike Cannon (165) and Kyle Borshoff (141) are the others. Cannon is ranked eighth by Wrestling International Newsmagazine.

Glenn, from Johnson City, N.Y., came to American University after winning a New York state title in 2003. He placed fourth at Senior High School Nationals. Glenn, who was not heavily recruited, said he also drew interest from Hofstra and North Carolina.

“I ended up at American because of Cody,” Glenn said. “He’s such a great person. I knew he was sincere from the beginning. He told me what he expects from his athletes and he told me I would get a great education. He’s a great guy and has put together a great coaching staff. Joe Henson has done a great job as well.”

Cody has long been considered one of the best big-man coaches in the country. In addition to coaching Glenn and Vering, Cody also has worked with top big men like Olympic and World champion Rulon Gardner, Olympic and World silver medalist Matt Lindland, and NCAA champion and World bronze medalist Tolly Thompson.

Cody worked with Vering, Gardner, Lindland and Thompson when he was the top assistant coach at Nebraska.

“Cody definitely knows what he’s doing,” Glenn said. “He’s had a huge influence on our whole team.”

Glenn redshirted his first year at American before winning 29 matches and being named EIWA Freshman of the Year in 2005. He was an NCAA qualifier before placing fourth and first in the country the past two seasons.

Glenn said he appreciates what Vering has done for him.

“Brad has had a tremendous impact on me,” Glenn said. “He’s so positive - when he walks into the wrestling room he gets everybody fired up. He really motivates us. For me, you couldn’t ask for a better workout partner who challenges you. He’s done a lot for my career.”

Cody praised the work Vering has done with Glenn.

“Brad Vering put the icing on the cake for Josh Glenn," Cody said. “He has been his workout partner, his mentor, his coach. He made it possible for Josh to win a national championship. Brad definitely has been a huge factor in Josh's success. Brad’s an unbelievable motivator.”

Vering said he enjoys working with Glenn. Vering, who lives in Colorado Springs, spends about one week a month working with the athletes at American University. He fits in trips to Washington, D.C., around his own schedule as a World class athlete.

“Josh is such a great kid,” Vering said. “He listens to you and he eats up every second that we’re together. I really respect him for that. He’s really smart about what he takes from me and uses in his own wrestling. We have a really good relationship.”

Vering said he would like to see Glenn give international wrestling a shot after he finishes his collegiate career.

“Josh is real good on his feet,” Vering said. “He’s real explosive and he can pick people apart. He’s a hard worker. If he wanted to, he could do real well internationally.”

Glenn said that definitely is an option.

“I am thinking about wrestling freestyle,” he said. “I had a chance to come out to Colorado for a week this summer and train at the Olympic Training Center. It was a real good experience, so we’ll see what happens.”