Terps' wrestling coach gratified by decision to preserve sport in the Olympics

Maryland wrestling coach Kerry McCoy has long had a special affinity for the Olympics.

He competed in 2000 and 2004, taking fifth in Sydney and seventh in Athens. He coached the national team in the next Summer Games in 2008.

So McCoy was particularly gratified by the International Olympic Committee’s decision Sunday to restore the sport for the 2020 games. The action came after the executive board had decided in February ago to remove it.

Wrestlers didn't know if the 2016 games would be their last chance for Olympic medals.

“It’s everything,” McCoy said Sunday. “The Olympics are the pinnacle of our sport. Every kid that grows up in the sport has an olympian they aspire to grow up to be like.”

McCoy was part of a committee formed to try to get wrestling restored.

“We put a lot of work and a lot of energy into it,” McCoy said. “We had conference calls every Saturday from the first week the announcement was made [seven months ago] to talk about strategy. It’s definitely a big weight off.”

McCoy, a former Penn State All-American, became Maryland’s coach in 2008. He's been named ACC Coach of the Year three times.