Wildcat works to make good on last chance

Cody Karns knows this is his last chance.

After placing at states the past three seasons, he hopes this is the year when he finally claims a state championship.

“It’s pretty important,” said Karns. “Having barely missed out a couple of times makes me want it even more.”

Karns, who has committed to wrestle at North Carolina, finished fourth in the 103-pound weight class as a freshman and placed third the following year.

Last season, he was the top-ranked wrestler in the 113-pound class going into the 4A state tournament, but he dropped the state title match 4-2 to Parkland’s Drew Turner and finished second.

Karns’ loss at states was only his second of the year. He was 55-2 overall.

“It’s been tough working hard throughout the whole season to fall just short at the end,” said Karns. “It was upsetting, but it made me work hard this summer. I really didn’t take a break.”

Lake Norman coach Morgan Fore said Karns has always been driven.

“I don’t know if he can push himself any harder,” said Fore. “That intrinsic drive he has is unbelievable.”

Fore added that witnessing that drive makes last year’s shortfall even harder to take.

“You see a kid who wants it that bad and puts that much in, you want it for them,” he said.

Karns worked out with his year-round wrestling club several times a week, besides participating in tournaments in the offseason.

The 17-year-old said he worked on honing his technique on the mat, especially developing his skills on his feet and on the bottom position.

“I wanted to strengthen every area,” said Karns.

Fore said Karns has been athletically and technically gifted since he set foot at Lake Norman, but Fore has noticed an improvement in the senior’s offensive repertoire.

“He’s able to string together a lot more attacks,” he said.

Getting stronger has also allowed Karns to be better in the top position, from where he can work his tilts and get points.

That could mean trouble to opponents. The 5-foot-4 Karns has stood out the past few years with his aggressiveness on the mat.

He had 28 technical falls, mercy-rule style wins awarded when wrestlers get ahead by 15 points in a match, last season. That was a school record and ranked him third in the nation.

Karns, who moves up to wrestle at 120 pounds this season, has several other Wildcat records, including most wins (55), most near falls (144) and most team points (282) in a season.

He’s 26 wins away from Harrison Honeycutt’s career-wins record, which stands at 183.

“I should be on track to beat that,” said Karns. “I’m hoping to break 210. There’s not that many kids in that 200-win club.”

“Those are big numbers to chase,” added Fore. “That’s one heck of an accomplishment for a high school career.”

Karns hopes to earn All-American status at the National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Va., after the high school season wraps up. Karns came one win short of the accomplishment last spring.

He also has lofty goals for the Wildcats, who lost four starters to graduation.

Karns hopes Lake Norman will be able to challenge a talented Hough team for the I-Meck title. The Wildcats are thee-time defending conference champions.

“Four in a row would be nice,” said Fore.

Besides Karns, 126-pounder Michael Ready, 152-pounder Eddie McGrail, 170-pounder Ryan Devlin, 195-pounder Matt Ready and 220-pounder Jackson Dowless should also play key roles on the team.

Fore said Karns should again lead the team by example.

“That drive and that level of intensity that he has rubs off,” said Fore. “They see the effort he puts in and see the results, and they want the same for themselves.”

Fore hopes Karns’ senior season goes exactly the way he’s planned it.

“I’m looking forward to this being his year,” said Fore. “He’s done everything right.”