When it came to high school athletics in Columbia this school year, Rock Bridge dominated the local scene in virtually every category except for one … J’den Cox (No. 13 @ 215).
The Bruins did not have an answer for the Hickman sophomore, and neither did the rest of the state as the 215-pound wrestler claimed his second Class 4 title with a 38-0 mark.
His dominance on the mat earned him the Tribune’s Boys High School Athlete of the Year Award.
After winning the 171-pound title as a freshman, Cox bumped up two weight divisions this year and defeated all challengers — including the best that Rock Bridge had to offer. Josh Braselton, a Rock Bridge senior who placed fourth at state, dropped four matches to Cox this season to finish with a 42-7 mark.
Although he made it look easy, Cox’s second state title didn’t come without some drama.
A torn meniscus suffered during the fall cut short his football season after three games and got his wrestling campaign off to a late start.
Hickman football Coach Jason Wright often discussed how much Cox, a hard-hitting linebacker, was missed throughout the season in which the Kewpies missed the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year.
To Continue Reading Article by Rus Baer at ColumbiaTribune.com
