Cory Clark Appreciation Thread

[championhawk]

How lucky have we been knowing the Hawks were virtually guaranteed to be ahead by at least 8 points after the first two weights? Gman and Clark have represented the best 1-2 punch in the country for the last 3 years. Cory is the polar opposite of Gman regarding personality. It doesn't matter because he is the most gifted Hawkeye since McDonough. Off the mat, he is one of the wrestlers that lightens the mood with jokes or being goofy. However, once the whistle blows he plans on taking an extra set of arms home with him. Perhaps he uses those spare parts to play Halo?

Cory Clark is gritty, stingy, and good in all positions. He is a complete wrestler and health is the only ? heading into March. People say Gman matches up better with tomato. I don't know where that comes from because Cory Clark is a match up nightmare for everyone. He is long, strong, and can score from a variety of positions. Cory Clark is the favorite current Hawkeye of many fans. He has been a great representative of the school. I sincerely appreciate the 4 years of watching Cory Clark compete. I hope he and Gman stick around in the HWC and continue to be the top post collegiate 1-2 punch in the world. Thank you Cory

 

[woodsiding]

I wouldn't say he is opposite of Gilman in focus. He doesn't get into theatrics, but he is focused. I agree with everything in there though.

A shoulder injury in wrestling is a nightmare. We've seen how it plays out, I hope Cory can change the script.

 

[championhawk]

I agree with everything in there though.

A shoulder injury in wrestling is a nightmare. We've seen how it plays out, I hope Cory can change the script.

Can you edit your post. This is for Cory. Add something positive about only Cory.
or start your own thread please. /QUOTE]

 

[PSUranger]

AWE MOM STOP IT ... You're embarrassing me. Love Cory

Just kidding! As a Penn State fan, I would like to thank Cory as well. It has been a pleasure watching you compete. Good health young man. (and I agree he matches up with Tomasello just fine)

 

[Stanley75]

Really bummed out Cory is hurt this year. He is one of those sneaky good type wrestlers. No sizzle all steak with Cory.

 

[Sandor45]

If I had to pick just one hawk to win a title this year, it'd be Corey.
Tenacious, mean, and just overall tough kid who can get back points.
And I like the fact that he plays halo

 

[crablegs1]

My favorite hawk over the last several years. Love his style and the way it leads to some action packed matches. Against top guys he's going to give up some points, but 99% of the time he's going to score more than his opponent. He's relentless in every position. Hope he can go out with a championship this year.

 

[minnhawkeye]

Have enjoyed watching Cory wrestle the last 4 years. Cory does all things well good on his feet, can ride them tough and love his arm bar move. So lets all cheer Cory and GMan on to win big tens and nationals titles.

 

[Reslo]

This PSU fan will be rooting for Clark to win his first national title. He certainly deserves it.

 

[24 so far]

Cory Clark is the epitome of one of those guys who is "tougher than wang leather". He doesn't really do anything that is particularly great, he just guts out wins. Sadly he's the nations all-time leader in potentially dangerous calls, most of them bad calls IMO, but in so doing he's doing what he does best, grinding.

This kid has done more with the abilities he has than the large majority of great Hawkeyes before him. He's quietly amassed one hell of a career. Thanks for being a Hawkeye Cory Clark. A job well done.

 

[Gobblin]

Cory Clark ranks in my top 5 all time favorite Hawkeyes. Not an easy list to crack... Can't remember the last Hawk I wanted to win a title as badly as I do Cory... A true warrior that doesn't need a lick of attention for it.

 

[#10Hawk]

Cory, it was so much fun watching you over the years. You make it look so easy but we all know how much hard work, sweat and blood was put into it. Thank you for great memories!

 

[pinters]

Asterisk time young man

 

[93hawkeye]

My favorite of the current lineup. Tenacious and a grinder. I am worried about how he matches up with Tomasello

 

[so cal hawkfan]

Historically Cory has had a tougher time with the long, lanky types than the short compact muscle bound types. NATO is tough for anyone, but I like Cory's chances. He's a beast on top, his TD defense is elite level, just when you think ya got him, ya don't. Remember that one match when Cory gassed? Ya, me neither. Love me some double C. Very fun weight class and I'm looking forward to seeing Cory on top of the podium.

 

[BeefHerky]

Cory Clark ranks in my top 5 all time favorite Hawkeyes. Not an easy list to crack... Can't remember the last Hawk I wanted to win a title as badly as I do Cory... A true warrior that doesn't need a lick of attention for it.

Ditto, man!

 

[dmlawdad]

The match that defines Cory for me was the semifinal against Gullibon his sophomore year. What a war that was, his mental toughness won the day. He looked as if he had been pummeled like Rocky after 10 rounds with Creed. If I remember right that was the first time he beat Gullibon.

 

[LaxHawk174]

Words can't describe how happy I would be if Clark were standing atop the podium in St Louis. Like Gobblin, Clark is on my all timer favorite list. I love his mentality and how he goes about business. He's so stingy and has so much hustle in every position.

Some of my favorite Cory Clark moments:

1. As mentioned above his semi final with Gulibon, what an awesome display of mental toughness and will to win.

2. Winning his B1G Title in front of Iowa fans at CHA.

3. His semi-final win against Richards last year at NCAAs. You can always count on Clark to be clutch when you need him to be, especially late in a match.

4. Bursting on to the scene his True FR year, taking it to McD in the wrestleoff and losing late, beating Delgado, and a great 4th place midlands run.

5. This year when he returned for the first time against Micic. I was really worried when he went down with injury, and to see him come back and compete at a high level against a really good top-8 opponent and get the win, just epitomizes how tough Cory Clark is. It proved to me that Clark still has a finals run left in him, and if he makes it to saturday night, all bets are off, thats a 5th year SR 2-time runner up, injury or not, he'll be ready to scrap and scratch and claw for his last chance at a title.

Thanks for donning the Hawkeye singlet Cory, will be rooting for you to pick up your title and will be proud regardless of the outcome. Look forward to following you in international competition too.

 

[93hawkeye]

Historically Cory has had a tougher time with the long, lanky types than the short compact muscle bound types. NATO is tough for anyone, but I like Cory's chances. He's a beast on top, his TD defense is elite level, just when you think ya got him, ya don't. Remember that one match when Cory gassed? Ya, me neither. Love me some double C. Very fun weight class and I'm looking forward to seeing Cory on top of the podium.

I'm thinking of Tomasello as a more accomplished Chris Dardanes

 

[DayHawk18]

My favorite hawk of the past 10 years...at least. Extremely tough kid, he just doesn't have to let everyone know it and I like that. Not the most talented guy but has done a hell of a lot with his talent. I'm hoping like hell he wins it all

 

[EWCEWC60]

I watched CC wrestle his 2nd match at the Luther Open this fall. I was accross the gym and watched bits and pieces of the match. He was wrestling a NIAC kid and in the end won by Tech fall. The NIAC kid had acted like a punk by shoving and pushing. In the end they had to hold him back as he went after CC. CC just stood there smiling and waited for the handshake. I could not hear what the NIAC kid was saying. What I could see was that CC stayed as cool as the other side of the pillow as the other kid had a total meltdown.

 

[93hawkeye]

My favorite hawk of the past 10 years...at least. Extremely tough kid, he just doesn't have to let everyone know it and I like that. Not the most talented guy but has done a hell of a lot with his talent. I'm hoping like hell he wins it all

Lots similarities between CC and DSJ

 

[Stilltryingtobeafan]

Tough as nails and never quits. It's been a pleasure to watch him compete.

 

[JustWrestle133]

Cory Clark is the recruit that every head coach dreams of. Yes, he was a highly thought of recruit and some success was expected, but he was not a top 10 pfp recruit. He was the 3rd ranked recruit in the State of Iowa, behind #1 Meeks, and #2 Gilman. He was also ranked 3rd in his weight class Nationally, behind #1 Guilibon and #2 DiCamillo. He was the 4th ranked recruit in Iowa's 2012 recruiting class, behind #15 Skonieczny, #16 Gilman, #20 Brooks. He was the 23rd overall ranked recruit in the country in 2012. Off topic, but this was an exceptional year for the State of Iowa in that Iowa produced 6 recruits ranked in the top 50. With another 11, let me say that again, with another ELEVEN, Iowa produced wrestlers on the recruiting big board, for a total of 17 Iowa kids on the Big Board!

For comparison sake:
2010- 3 (Moore, Ballweg, Wolfensperger)
2011- 2 (Krumwiede, Blythe- who took a Football offer)
2012- 6 (Meeks, Gilman, Clark, Milkus, Meyer, Moreno)
2013- 1 (Sorensen)
2014- 0
2015- 2 (Thomsen, Stoker)
2016- 3 (Happel, Young, Isley)

Clark then went out and became a 3 time All American, including a 2 time NCAA runner up, with another chance for that elusive title and the opportunity to be rare 4x AA. However, as great as that is, everything that has taken place outside of competition is why he is a coach's dream. By all accounts he takes care of business in the class room. Volunteers at the youth and high school level, which is a HUGE advantage for Iowa if some of those youth wrestlers turn into high profile recruits themselves. He stays out of trouble. He doesn't do anything stupid on social media. He was willing to move up a weight class for the good of the team. He is willing to wrestle through injury. He is a stabilizing force, steady, and consistently excellent.

Iowa needs more wrestlers like Cory Clark and more years like 2012!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Love the thread, but I see more than one reference to a "lack of talent". I don't know where this is coming from. I view Cory as an extremely gifted wrestler. He's quick, has great balance, is extremely creative with a varied offensive arsenal from all positions, and he's tough as nails mentally. I don't know what his 40 time is, what he bench presses, or how high his vertical leap is, but in terms of a wrestling skill set, I think he's very talented. Plus, he's willing to put in the work necessary to make the most of his abilities. In short, he has the whole package.

With all due respect to my fellow Hawk fans, I think it sells Cory short to portray him as a guy with limited talent but making the most of what talent he has. IMO, the only thing he lacks is a healthy shoulder at this point. Otherwise, I think he has all of the important ingredients to be a champion, both physical and mental. The fact that he's been able to compete at a very high level despite the shoulder injury is a testament to his incredible talent, IMO.

 

[Kwoodhawk]

Love the thread, but I see more than one reference to a "lack of talent". I don't know where this is coming from. I view Cory as an extremely gifted wrestler. He's quick, has great balance, is extremely creative with a varied offensive arsenal from all positions, and he's tough as nails mentally. I don't know what his 40 time is, what he bench presses, or how high his vertical leap is, but in terms of a wrestling skill set, I think he's very talented. Plus, he's willing to put in the work necessary to make the most of his abilities. In short, he has the whole package.

With all due respect to my fellow Hawk fans, I think it sells Cory short to portray him as a guy with limited talent but making the most of what talent he has. IMO, the only thing he lacks is a healthy shoulder at this point. Otherwise, I think he has all of the important ingredients to be a champion, both physical and mental. The fact that he's been able to compete at a very high level despite the shoulder injury is a testament to his incredible talent, IMO.

Just guessing of course........but I'm guessing most people's perception of CC "lack of talent" or athletic ability is from his seeming struggles in the takedown department. He seems somewhat limited to the Russian tie with not much else going for him there. The rest of his game is top shelf of course and more than makes up for any takedown deficiency. Kind of like Meyer's skills set except Clark has much better defense on his feet. CC best attribute is his toughness...IMHO.

 

[Gobblin]

Love the thread, but I see more than one reference to a "lack of talent". I don't know where this is coming from. I view Cory as an extremely gifted wrestler. He's quick, has great balance, is extremely creative with a varied offensive arsenal from all positions, and he's tough as nails mentally. I don't know what his 40 time is, what he bench presses, or how high his vertical leap is, but in terms of a wrestling skill set, I think he's very talented. Plus, he's willing to put in the work necessary to make the most of his abilities. In short, he has the whole package.

With all due respect to my fellow Hawk fans, I think it sells Cory short to portray him as a guy with limited talent but making the most of what talent he has. IMO, the only thing he lacks is a healthy shoulder at this point. Otherwise, I think he has all of the important ingredients to be a champion, both physical and mental. The fact that he's been able to compete at a very high level despite the shoulder injury is a testament to his incredible talent, IMO.

Spot on... I'd argue with anyone that Cory has more God given talent than anyone else in the room.

 

[championhawk]

Love the thread, but I see more than one reference to a "lack of talent". I don't know where this is coming from. I view Cory as an extremely gifted wrestler. He's quick, has great balance, is extremely creative with a varied offensive arsenal from all positions, and he's tough as nails mentally. I don't know what his 40 time is, what he bench presses, or how high his vertical leap is, but in terms of a wrestling skill set, I think he's very talented. Plus, he's willing to put in the work necessary to make the most of his abilities. In short, he has the whole package.

With all due respect to my fellow Hawk fans, I think it sells Cory short to portray him as a guy with limited talent but making the most of what talent he has. IMO, the only thing he lacks is a healthy shoulder at this point. Otherwise, I think he has all of the important ingredients to be a champion, both physical and mental. The fact that he's been able to compete at a very high level despite the shoulder injury is a testament to his incredible talent, IMO.

I agree. I think he has the most natural talent of any wrestler since McDonough. I would put his mat skills ahead of McD, but give McD the overall nod due to length and ability to cut weight.

 

[CumberlandHawk]

In this day and age you cant be a 2 time finalist without a lot of talent. Just too many technically sound wrestlers. Talent + hard work = Cory Clark

 

[NittanyChris]

As a Penn State fan, my two favorite Hawkeyes are Clark and Kemerer. I really appreciate Clark's relentless offense while on top and overall grittiness. Since Cortez is done for the season and PSU is not likely to have a qualifier at 33, I'll definitely be rooting for Clark to win it all this year.

 

[Ihawkd9times]

He's the man. He will find a way this year and we wont be able to explain it! Were just going to be talking about that 3rd period reversal to rideout and win it at NCAA's. Going to miss the dude in the lineup. He is in my top 5!

Ironside
Jaybo
Juergans
Clark
McD

 

[Grip220]

I cant say Im not a little worried about his shoulder injury My left shoulder ended my chances at a HS title run I know how tuff it is.. If there is someone out there that can work through it its CC dig deep Cory I will be pulling hard for you thanks for the hard work this fan appreciats what you do..