Cody Kirk is well aware that Davidson College has only featured 11 Southern Conference champions and sent only seven wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in the 87-year history of Wildcat wrestling, according to the school records. 

The 184-pound true freshman is also aware that any national success by a Davidson wrestler — something Kirk did early this season when he placed first and second, respectively in the “Fresh-Soph” divisions of the Southeast Open and Michigan State Open in November — could put undue pressure on such a wrestler to become the latest face of Davidson wrestling.

So, is it fair to place such expectations on Kirk, a native of Pike Road, Ala., this early in his career?

“I don’t feel any pressure,” said Kirk in a matter-of-fact tone. “Ever since I was a kid, I loved to roll around and wrestle. I would say it came pretty naturally to me. I found the sport in sixth grade and ever since then, I’ve loved wrestling.”

And the sport has done well for Kirk, a four-time Alabama state finalist, who earned titles as both a junior and senior for his high school that sits 20 miles east of Montgomery and 100 miles southeast of Birmingham. Meanwhile, on the national stage, Kirk won a title at the 2025 National High School Coaches Association tournament last spring before also reaching the finals of the U20 Nationals in Greco-Roman wrestling this past year.

Kirk owned a 6-2 career college record as of Nov. 15 and believes he can join Davidson’s short list of past NCAA qualifiers that includes Ian Kapler (1996 and 1999), Alex Radsky (2010), Anthony Elias (2013), Kyle Birmingham (2014) and Scott Patrick (2014 and 2015). 

Davidson coach Nate Carr Jr., who is in his fourth season at the North Carolina school, understands Kirk’s confidence.

“The biggest thing about him is his competitive poise,” Carr said.” I’ve never seen him get too rattled. He also feels that he is in every match. He doesn’t care who he is wrestling or what color is his opponent’s singlet. He just shows up and wrestles.

“He’s a guy who could make the NCAA tournament and he could keep doing special things. He just needs to keep learning and developing as a wrestler. He still has things to learn, but he is a sponge soaking in all the knowledge. He learns so much in every match he wrestles.

“His emotional intelligence and poise is why he has done so well. Pressure is a privilege, and if he prepares the right way, he won’t worry about what any article or social media post says. Those external factors will not matter. Between his ears, if he doesn’t feel pressure, he’s going to try and do his best. If it’s not the best, he will look at how to improve.

Growing up in a football-crazy state like Alabama, Kirk competed on the gridiron as well as on a soccer pitch for his high school, but his time on the mat meant the most to this son of retired Army veterans Don and Tricia Kirk.

“(Wrestling is) the individual sport and I always had a belief in that I can beat anybody when I step on the mat,” said Kirk, adding that football and soccer also help his footwork in wrestling. “It helped me move my feet and helped me get to my attacks.”

Carr credits Kirk’s parents and military lifestyle for instilling such confidence in Cody.

“Both of his parents were highly decorated military, and I think he picked up a razor focus from his family,” said Carr, the son of Iowa State national champ and Olympic gold medalist Nate Carr. “The things that Cody has learned from his parents and coaches have told him he can do anything he wants to as long as he is focused. 

“Then throw in the fact that he’s a very good athlete, his upbringing in a military home, and the fact that he loves wrestling, that’s a pretty good connection.”

“Definitely, my faith helped a lot and my parents constantly supported me by driving to and from those practices,” said Kirk.

Carr has been pleased with the quality of recruits he has brought to Davidson and believes the small-town environment — with a population of 15,000 — is beneficial to his wrestlers.

“What’s cool about this school is that (Cody) has a loving family, where coaches and teammates support him,” Carr said. “If he loses a match, his life is not over. His coaches will care about him, his parents will care about him and he’s going to get a degree. He’s going to leave here a better person. What you do on the mat isn’t always your identity.”

Kirk recalls the first time Carr reached out to him following the Super 32 tournament in 2024 during the recruiting process.

“I went on a visit and I loved the environment and the camaraderie with the team. I felt like it was home,” Kirk said. “These coaches are pushing me to be a national champ and a World champ.”

Kirk said he first saw himself as an NCAA Division I wrestler when he placed second in the state at 138 pounds and said that winning a second state championship at 190 pounds last spring made others call him a “diamond in the rough.”

“That’s when I really figured out my style and have more confidence in my wrestling. I’m growing each and every day,” he said.

This was also about the time Kirk met Shad Rissler of the Warrior Wrestling Club in Birmingham.

“I don’t know if he said anything specific, but he had faith in me that I could become one of his best wrestlers and I would follow everything that he said,” Kirk said.

Rissler also introduced Kirk to Greco-Roman wrestling, where Kirk has enjoyed plenty of success and hopes to one day make a World/Olympic team.

Greco also benefits Kirk’s style in college folkstyle and Carr believes that Kirk should follow the example of former NC State star Trent Hidlay, who also recently won a World championship in freestyle.

“I’ve told him that he needs to watch Hidlay, who uses a lot of underhooks and loves to pressure a guy,” Carr said. “He is pretty much a Hidlay when it comes to style after watching Hidlay win a World championship and his intensity. Cody needs to open up his offense and be relentless.”

Carr also credits assistant coach Scott Joles for developing Kirk.

“Scott is perfect for Cody and they go at it quite a bit,” said Carr, who also believes Kirk’s individual success will also be impacted by his team.

“If (Cody) does have success, it won’t be just him. It’s the coaches, teammates, parents, professors and the environment here. A champion isn’t just made by himself. He has to make his own with the help of others. I hope he achieves everything he’s wanted here.” 

Catch the Davidson Wildcats' home duals live this season on Flowrestling.