McCoy's win streak ends

By JONATHAN BOMBULIE
Collegian Sports Writer

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Kerry McCoy's smile had returned by Saturday afternoon. He stood at the edge of the mat signing autographs for young wrestling fans, just as he had the day before.

But things were different for the heavyweight Saturday -- different than they had been for almost two years. Northern Iowa's Justin Greenlee defeated McCoy 4-3 in the semifinals of the NCAA wrestling championships the night before, handing the Lion his first loss after 88 straight victories.

"I kind of forgot what it was like to lose a match," McCoy said. "I was in shock, I couldn't believe it myself. So I sat there a while after the match. I just couldn't believe it."

After a few minutes of sitting dejected on the mat, McCoy, almost in tears, made his way to the locker room area. He sat in the hallway, dazed with a pained look on his face.

Then came a parade of those offering encouragement and consolation to the fallen All-American: his mother, eventual heavyweight champion Tolly Thompson of Nebraska, former teammate Shawn Nelson and Penn State Assistant Coach Troy Sunderland.

"That felt good," McCoy said. "It's not just for what I would have done this year, it's for everything all together. It makes me feel good that people still have respect for me that way."

The match was not without controversy, however. McCoy took a 2-1 lead in the first period, but late in the second Greenlee was awarded a takedown near the edge of the mat that gave him a 3-2 lead that he would not relenquish.

"I've been in that position a lot of times," McCoy said. "Usually they stalemate it out. I didn't think they would give (the takedown). That shook me a little bit."

McCoy recovered to come out the aggressor in the third period. He took shot after shot, but Greenlee used his size and strength advantage to power out of any possible takedowns.

"That whole last minute or so, he was so close to scoring so many times," Coach John Fritz said. "He put his heart into it and that is all you can hope for."

Along with his national title hopes, McCoy's 88-match win streak also fell with the loss. The streak is the fifth longest in NCAA history, 10 matches short of Iowa Coach Dan Gable's record.

"Maybe someone's going to remember me now," Greenlee said. "I wasn't too worried about (the streak). I wanted to win this match for myself."

Despite the heart-breaking loss, McCoy was able to come back to take third place. He defeated Nick Hall of Old Dominion by injury default and Jeff Walter of Wisconsin, 4-1.

"I feel like I outwrestled (Greenlee), but he just came out on top," McCoy said. "I have nothing to be ashamed of. The more I think about it, the more I realize that. The goal is still the same -- not to lose again. Now, I just have to start all over. From zero."