On The Road with Tyler McCormick: Daily Journal - University of Missouri Athletics Official Website

Tyler McCormick

Tyler McCormick

WrestlingJanuary 08, 2005

On The Road with Tyler McCormick: Daily Journal

Jan. 8 | Jan. 9 | Jan. 10 | Jan. 11 | Jan. 12 | Jan. 13 | Jan. 14

Friday, January 14, 2005

The Virginia Duals started today. In the first round of competition we wrestled the Citadel. I won my match 6-2, and the team cruised to victory by a score of 41 - 3. After this victory the team got a quick bite to eat and an hour to rest back at the hotel before leaving for our next dual. In the quarter finals we wrestled the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga. Each match was hard fought; personally, I won my match with a takedown coming with five seconds left. The team ended up losing this heartbreaking dual by the score of 16 - 19.

Upon returning to the hotel, we had a team meeting. We discussed the positive and negative things we did in the dual. I think the team will come out focused and wrestle at the top of our game to get this bad taste out of our mouths. Tomorrow I think you will see the true character of this team as we battle through the back side.

Thursday, January 13, 2005

I slept in again today, waking up at around eleven o'clock eastern time. I then went to a local restaurant in down town Hampton with Coach Smith, a few other wrestlers, and our sponsor. After a nice seafood lunch we took some time and walked around the down town. We found a small British shop that sold European candy. After buying some candy to take back home, we went back to the hotel.

An hour later we visited the coliseum for an afternoon workout. Following the hour drill and cardio workout, I went to the grocery store to buy some fruit and granola bars for tomorrows duals.

Tyler B. McCormick

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Today, I woke up at 9:30 in order to run and lift weights before we left the NYAC. We packed our bags but before we left New York most of the team picked up some classic New York t-shirts. After a crazy van ride we arrived at La Guardia, were there happened to be a National Geographic store, one of my favorites, I picked up the latest issue for the three hour wait.

We landed in Virginia, where the weather is in the 60's. After packing into the vans, some in the fetal position, we left for the hotel. The rest of the night was spent at the hotel and getting a quick bite to eat at Subway.

Tyler B. McCormick

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

I slept in today, knowing I would need plenty of sleep for the dual tonight. When I woke up I walked to a café where I meet my dad for breakfast. After breakfast we took a walk through Central Park. I saw the ice skating ring, the baseball fields, and the Tavern on the Green. When I got back the NYAC, I worked out for about 40 minutes to get down to weight. We weighed in at 6:00pm.

As I entered the gym I saw the mat surrounded by 200 people in dresses and suits. There were people on the edge of the mat and on the balcony track. The video cameras were mat-side and on the balcony. As we ended our warm up I felt the excitement rush through my body. The dual began at 125 pounds, in the first period Austin had an injury. Suddenly it was my turn to wrestle. I felted relaxed as the match started, and the crowd seemed to fade away while I was wrestling. I ended up losing 4- 0. After another loss to Lehigh, this one coming by pin, the team was down 15 - 0. Cody Green got the ball rolling in the 149 pound match as the team won the next five matches in a row, taking the team score to 15 - 17 with Missouri winning. Two tough matches later and we ended up losing the dual 22 - 17.

After the dual the team met for a post match dinner provided by the NYAC. Following dinner I walked with my parents down to Times Square where I met up with my brother, Chris, and a few other team mates. We decided we couldn't leave New York without getting a slice of pizza from Ray's. After finishing the equivalent of four slices of pizza in Missouri terms, we enjoyed the scenic walk back to the NYAC and called it a night.

Tyler B. McCormick

Monday, January 10, 2005

Today after an early morning jog, I visited the Empire State Building with some members of the team. The subway ride was the perfect opportunity for story telling about the night before. Only in New York will you know what it means to order the double H to go. Although it was a bit foggy as visibility was only three miles from the observatory. The view was spectacular, on the edge of the horizon I found the outline of lady liberty. After spending about a half an hour wandering around the top we headed back to the NYAC.

This afternoon we had the final practice before the Lehigh dual. This practice was much like all of our practices the day before a dual. A hard drill with a live match at the end, after the practice most of the team took advantage of the cardio equipment supplied by the club. The team concluded the day with a team meeting in Coach Smith's room.

Tyler B. McCormick

Sunday, January 09, 2005

I awoke this morning in a hurry, rushing to the Hearns center to make the 8:00 am departure time scheduled by Coach Smith. As I arrived I noticed that I wasn't the only one excited for our trip. Several others were scurrying around as they threw their bags into the vans. Unlike chartered flights, the wrestling team then traveled two hours to KCI to catch our flight.

Finally we arrived at La Guardia Airport in New York. After taking the scenic route we arrived at the prestigious New York Athletic Club. We dropped our luggage off and headed off site seeing. The first stop was Ground Zero, the damage that was caused was immense, and I didn't realize how great the destruction was. We took a short subway ride to Little Italy for a good Italian dinner. We ate at Chi Chi's named after the wise guy owner. On the way back to the Athletic Club Coach Smith had to do some wheeling and dealing in Little China to get the team on the subway. However once in the rail car the team came across another unforeseen problem, I'll call this problem "the smell." The rail car smelt like someone went to the bathroom in it. At the next stop the team evacuated the rail car for another, and finely arriving back at the NYAC.

Tyler B. McCormick

Saturday, January 08, 2005

We had our last practice before our trip this morning. The practice marked the end of a two week training period for the team. Everyone seems excited and ready to get to the real meat of the season. The team is coming off of four dual wins in the past week and is thriving with confidence.

As I started to pack my bags for the road trip, I realize that this will be my first trip to New York. I am eager to see Ground Zero, Little Italy, and the Empire State building among other attractions. I am anxious to take in the city and culture; however, I know that our team is focused on the reason we are traveling to New York and Virginia. I am looking forward to the opportunity to compete against Lehigh at the New York Athletic Club and at the Virginia Duals.

Tyler B. McCormick