WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight: Cody Welker

MADISON, WIS.- Each week during the 2023-24 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's. UW-Oshkosh men's wrestler Cody Welker is featured in this week's WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight.

Name:  Cody Welker
Institution:  UW-Oshkosh
Hometown (High School):  Franksville, Wis. (Burlington High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sport:  Wrestling
Major:  Marketing with a Sales emphasis

Why did you choose UW-Oshkosh?
I chose UW-Oshkosh because of the people. Everyone is very welcoming and UW-Oshkosh fit my wants and needs. I've met the best people I could've here.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
I'm not involved in any clubs on campus, but I am the head coach of Mat Rats youth wrestling club in Oshkosh.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
It's very competitive. In order to be competitive in this conference you have to work hard, and that itself has kept me on my toes.
 
What is your favorite…
Flavor of the Day from Culver's?  Raspberry Cheesecake
Menu item from Culver's?  Double Bacon Butterburger Basket
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  Titan Underground when Nate Stokhaug is working
Movie?  Happy Gilmore
Holiday?  Christmas
Food?  Spaghetti
Animal?  Monkey
Smartphone App?  Instagram
Musical Group/Artist?  Drake
Professional Sports Athlete/Team?  David Taylor/my sister, Penn State wrestling
Vacation Spot?  Florida
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
Bloodround match at state senior year.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Play video games and watch other college wrestling.
 
Who is someone that you look up to?
My dad.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Take advantage of every opportunity. Time flies a lot quicker than you think.
 
One word that describes you?
Passionate.
 
What is your dream job? 
Stay at home dad.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Start my own wrestling club.
---Travel more.
---Go on an exotic hunting trip.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
I like to think I'm a funny guy sometimes.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
I listen to the same music before matches and have a similar prematch warmup.

Release courtesy of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference