Haverford School wrestler Chris Kober is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The junior 195-pounder (33-5 as of Feb. 15) won five dual meets in one day at the recent Westtown Duals, including his 100th career win. He placed first at the New Hope Solebury tournament and third at the Battle at the Beach and Bissell tournaments.
Q: Your 100th career win was a pin against Mercersburg Academy at the Westtown Duals. What is your most vivid memory of that match?
A: My most vivid memory of the match is just getting into a deep shot and finishing it with a leg lace that our team calls the “Valo.” I locked up the “Valo” and capitalized on the opportunity to pin my opponent. Although we were close to going out of bounds, I dragged my opponent from outside of the circle and recorded the fall early in the first period.
Q: What do you consider your best match so far this season, and what was working particularly well for you that day?
A: My best match this year was at the Buckley Duals versus West Chester East. It seemed as if everything was working for me in this match. I was controlling the match in all aspects, whether it was on my feet, bottom, or top. I was dominating my opponent throughout and finished the match with a tech late in the third period.
Q: At the Westtown Duals, was it much of a challenge to maintain your stamina for the matches later in the day?
A: Throughout the Westtown Duals, it was not a challenge to maintain my stamina the entire day. My coaches, Bruce Kennett, Chris Arcuri, Ianny Dimitrov and Jesse Satalof, stress the importance of conditioning in the sport of wrestling to my teammates and I. My team and I run a 2 1/2 mile course before every practice to heighten our level of cardio. The run is followed by a two hour practice with built in conditioning. As a result of our constant dedication to running and lifting during the week, I am never worried about my conditioning while competing.
Q: What do you consider your biggest strength, and what you are working on most currently?
A: My biggest strength as a wrestler is my style. Although I compete in the 195 pound weight class, I enjoy wrestling like a lightweight by executing various low leg attacks in the neutral position. My unremitting pressure and high pace offence often allows me to open up the defense of my opponent. I like to score a lot of points. I have to trust my skill, technique, conditioning and speed to beat my opponents.
Q: What has been your toughest match this season so far?
A: The toughest match that I have had so far this season is a match that I lost in the “blood round” of the Beast of the East. If I won the match I would have placed, and if I lost I would go home empty-handed. I wrestled the No. 6 seeded wrestler of the tournament and lost 3-2. Although the outcome was not the one I wanted, I learned a lot from that match.
Q: Who has been your biggest wrestling mentor, and what is the biggest thing he taught you?
A: My biggest wrestling mentor has been Coach Kennett. Having Kennett as a coach, simply put is an honor. Coach Kennett is realistic with his expectations and urges his wrestlers to strive for greatness in every facet of their lives. My favorite aspect about Coach Kennett is that he has a positive impact on every kid in the Haverford School community, not just the wrestlers. He has taught me to be humble and just to have fun with the sport of wrestling. Coach Kennet will always find something you can improve on in the real world or on the mat.
Q: What has been the most important thing regarding wrestling your older brother Mickey has taught you?
A: Practicing with my older brother, Mickey, has taught me a lot about the little things that I would not think of. He has taught me the most important things a wrestler needs to know to be successful. He constantly relays messages that concern the importance of physical and mental toughness.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.
A: My pre-match preparation is nothing special. After weigh-ins, I usually eat a peanut butter sandwich, two yogurts, and have a Gatorade before I warm up. During my warmup, I just try to get a good sweat in before my match. When we warm up as a collective team, I usually just focus on technique and stretching. Subsequently, I engage in a more intense regimen that consist of jumping rope, shadow wresting, and sprints. I always try to keep moving so my body stays warm until it is time to wrestle.
Q: What sparked your initial interest in wrestling?
A: When I was 5 years old, my mom brought me and my brothers up to Haverford High School to sign us up for basketball. When we got there, the registrations for the league were all full and they had no more spots on any teams. While we were leaving, we past the wrestling room and my mom asked my two brothers and I if we wanted to try wrestling and we said yes. After about two weeks of practicing, I was hooked on the sport and never looked back.
Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Haverford School? What sparked your interest in these activities?
A: I participate in three extracurricular activities at Haverford School – the Peanut Butter and Jelly club, the Deeper Discussion club, and Peer Counseling.
Fun facts – Chris Kober
Favorite book: Lord of the Flies.
Favorite author: William Golding.
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds.
Favorite movie: Rocky II.
Favorite athlete: Kyle Dake.
Favorite pre-match pump-up song: Till I Collapse.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: “My Grandmom’s mountain house.”
Favorite pre-meet meal: Peanut butter sandwiches.
Person I most admire: “My parents, Tim and Christine Kober, are the people I most admire. My parents have taught me how to work hard and have fun with what I am doing. Both My mom and dad work extremely hard for everything they have and never complain. No matter how hard or tiring their jobs are, they never fail to find time to support my brothers and I in our lives. Finally, I admire my parents because no matter what happens they will always be there for me.”
Favorite color: Red.
Birth date: April 19, 1999 in Philadelphia.
Family members: Mom (Christine), Dad (Tim), siblings Tim, Mickey and Frankie.
(To be selected for Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
