Grimsley’s Jake McCord Strengthens NC Wrestling Presence

“I saw him win a state championship and I was like, I got to one up him, you know. I got to get it too. Maybe even get two state championships”

Greensboro, NC— Jake McCord, a junior wrestler at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, is rapidly gaining recognition as a top wrestling talent both in his home state and on the national stage. Inspired by his older brother Grant, a North Carolina state champion, Jake has pursued the sport with determination and a clear goal. “I saw him win a state championship and I was like, I got to one up him, you know. I got to get it too. Maybe even get two state championships,” Jake said, underscoring how family legacy fuels his drive to succeed.

In the 2025 North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state tournament, Jake reached the finals after a dominant run but finished as runner-up following a close 3-5 loss. Despite battling illness during the regionals and state championships, he refused to make excuses: “I lost fair and square,” he said. This setback has only strengthened his resolve to capture the state title in the upcoming season. Jake’s high school coaches affectionately call him “Mr. Him,” a nickname he earned after a breakthrough victory early in his career, which captures his competitive spirit.

On the national level, Jake showcased his skills at the 2025 NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach, where he competed in the sophomore division and finished with a strong 5-2 record. Both of his losses came at the hands of All-American opponents, and Jake viewed this experience as an important milestone. “Both of my losses were to All-Americans. It was a lesson that competition outside North Carolina is legit, it’s bigger than just North Carolina, and testing myself at the next level is just important,” he reflected, signaling his readiness to compete with the nation's best.

A crucial factor in Jake’s growth as a wrestler is his training environment at the School of Hard Knocks wrestling club in High Point, North Carolina. This club has been a significant launching pad for several elite wrestlers, including Division One All-Americans Caleb Smith of Nebraska and Jonathon Milner of Appalachian State. Additionally, Joe Sealey, a former member of the club, won the 2022 Cadet World Championship and currently wrestles at Penn State. Jake credits the club’s culture and coaching for shaping him both on and off the mat. “Coach Bob is a great coach and he's really developed me on and off the mat as a better person and a better wrestler,” Jake said. Known for its high standards and rigorous drills, the club emphasizes accountability—burpees for missteps ensure wrestlers stay disciplined and focused.

Jake works alongside drilling partners like Jacob Hillis and collegiate wrestlers Donovan Edwards and Imon Freeman, who constantly push him to improve. His conditioning regimen is intense, featuring timed sprints and long-distance runs similar to those of his elite training peers. “Running has made my conditioning a lot better, especially at School of Hard Knocks because you got the timed runs, you got the long-distance runs, he'll throw the kitchen sink at you,” Jake explained. He complements his physical training with a diet centered on whole foods—chicken, rice, fruits, and vegetables—to maintain his weight class and fuel his performance.

Mental toughness is equally important to Jake’s wrestling success. When asked about wrestling while sick in critical competitions, he said, “I was really underestimating myself... I wasn’t planning on winning the whole tournament, but I ended up winning the regional tournament. Maybe that mindset helped me.” He also prefers close, competitive matches to avoid being overwhelmed: “I would definitely rather have a close match than get blown out because at least I know I put everything I had out there.”

Off the mat, Jake embraces his role as a leader and mentor to younger wrestlers, promoting the values of hard work, accountability, and integrity. While he has yet to decide on his collegiate wrestling future, he recognizes the sport’s value beyond competition. He said, “I feel like it'd be a great thing just like work ethic in the real world. If I don't want to wrestle after college, it just gives you a lot of great traits.”