Parkway wrestler strives for best in sport and career
If Parkway H.S. senior Cody Thomas ever finds himself in a difficult situation in the future as a Navy SEAL, chances are his wrestling background will come in handy.
“He’s determined to be the best,” said first-year Parkway wrestling coach Emmett Beggs. “He works hard in practice and at matches.”
Thomas, who was born and raised in Bossier City, has been wrestling for four years. He started as a freshman when some upperclassmen encouraged him to participate in the sport.
“He’s a good kid and a good teammate,” Beggs said. “He’s not the kind of kid who goes out and gets in trouble.”
Two words that describe Thomas are “determined” and “relentless.”
His drive to be the best in every endeavor has served him well, whether it is sports or choice of a career. He has been the top-ranked Louisiana high school wrestler in his weight class, and is near the top in a heavier weight class as the season has progressed. Heading into the weekend, he was 22-0.
“A regional championship and being undefeated so far in my senior year are the highlights of my wrestling career,” Thomas said.
But, with his competitive nature, he is still not satisfied.
Nothing exemplifies his determination more than his pursuit of a championship and a career.
“I want to be in the State finals, I want that ring really bad,” Thomas said. “Having a State title going into the Navy would be great. It’s something that can’t be taken away. It would tell me that I can make it through SEAL training.”
Between his junior and senior years of high school, Thomas signed up for the Navy and also signed a contract to enter the Navy SEAL program. Once he graduates from high school, he will undergo two months of basic Navy training and then begin SEAL training.
Being a Navy SEAL is one of the most challenging and dangerous military assignments. Thomas wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
“I want to make a career of it,” Thomas said. “I’ve known a long time I wanted to be in the Navy, but I didn’t want something that was basic. I want to be behind the lines.”
Thomas is an avid outdoorsman who loves running, swimming and camping, but it is his accomplishments in the wrestling ring that are propelling him toward a championship ring.
Preparation and follow-up are some of the keys to Thomas’ success.
“First, you have to get your diet right for wrestling,” Thomas said. “Then you have to get mentally prepared and work hard at practice.”
“I play a lot of ‘What if?’ games,” Thomas said. “If I do this, what will my opponent do? If my opponent does this, what will I do? I try to figure every scenario in my head.”
Conjure up an image of The Terminator, and it exemplifies his approach to wrestling.
“You have to be relentless, always going after your opponent,” Thomas said. “You can never relax.”
Setting goals and then going after them is a big part of Thomas’ approach to life. Many people wait several years after high school to figure out what they want to do with their life, but not Thomas.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders,” Thomas said of his career decision. “It’s a little scary but it feels good at the same time.”
