Christian Hodges earning his 100th career win, at the Radnor Holiday Wrestling Tournament Dec. 21 (Phil Neafsey/For MediaNews Group)
Christian Hodges, a senior, became the first Lower Merion wrestler to earn 100 career wins since Marcus Neafsey in 2008. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the Radnor Holiday Tournament for the second year in a row. As of Dec. 29, his record for the season is 11-0 with seven pins, and his career record is 108-23 with 48 pins. At the Ralph Wetzel Classic Dec. 27, Hodges finished first at 138 pounds. A straight-A student, Hodges was an Academic All-American wrestler as a junior, and recently was awarded an NROTC scholarship, which was given to only 1,000 students nationally (and only three seniors in the greater Philadelphia area).
Q: What was your first reaction when you earned your 100th victory, at the Radnor Holiday Wrestling Tournament Dec. 21?
A: I was really happy to see my parents, teammates, and supporters on the edge of the mat to congratulate me after the match. This is a milestone that symbolizes the time and commitment I’ve put into the sport. I still haven’t missed a single match in my entire Lower Merion career.
Q: What do you think was your best match at the Radnor Holiday Tourney, where you went 5-0 with four pins?
A: My last match of the day against Plymouth Whitemarsh (pinned Justin Bainbridge in 3:06) because I just focused on scoring points and let the pin come naturally after having scored multiple takedowns.
Q: What do you consider your biggest strength on the mat and what are you working on most currently?
A: My biggest strengths on the mat are my pace, constant pressure, and good position. I’m currently working on my mental game of wrestling to score points and keep good position every second of the match instead of wrestling to win or lose.
Q: What do you think has been the best match of your Lower Merion career, and why?
A: Last year at the Wetzel Classic I was thrown to my back within the first 30 seconds of the match, but I didn’t panic. I stayed calm and just focused on scoring points until I came out on top. I don’t even remember looking at the scoreboard during the match I was just in a state of flow.
Q: Tell us about your start in wrestling – what sparked your initial interest? Who have been your most important wrestling mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?
Christian Hodges recently was awarded an NROTC scholarship, which was given to only 1,000 students nationally (and only three seniors in the greater Philadelphia area)
A: I started wrestling in seventh grade while living in Virginia because my father wrestled in high school and I thought I might enjoy it. I’ve had countless mentors in my life. [Lower Merion head coach] Jim Perri, Dennis Mejias, Chris Arcuri, Greg Hagel, and Brandon Slay have worked with me the most and each have taught me different techniques and approaches to wrestling. Most of all they have developed me as a leader and taught me the importance of character and respect which sticks with someone far longer than the amount of gold medals they have won.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.
A: I always make sure to start warming up 45 minutes before my match. That will consist of sprints, foot fires, shadow wrestling, drilling, and some live. Then I cool down and bring myself into a mental state of focus. I will pace, bounce, and splash water in my face to get a rhythm and feel light and quick for my match.
Q: What did it mean to you to receive the NROTC scholarship? What do you think you might want to major in at college? Is there a particular career path that interests you?
A: I’m extremely honored to have received an NROTC scholarship. It has always been a goal of mine to serve my country and now I have the opportunity to do so. I’m interested in majoring in chemistry or nuclear engineering, to take a possible career path as a SEAL or Nuclear Engineer. I also recently received two Senator, one Congressman and a Presidential nomination for the U.S. Naval Academy. I applied at all three Academies, I am now waiting for the Admissions Department to make their decision.
Fun facts – Christian Hodges
Favorite book: The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite movie: Papillon.
Favorite athlete: Spencer Lee (University of Iowa wrestler).
Favorite team: Los Angeles Chargers.
Favorite place to visit: San Diego, Cal.
Favorite pre-meet meal: peanut butter & jelly, Gatorade, Clif Bar, water, fruit.
Person I most admire, and why: “I admire my parents because of their work ethic, complete investment in me, and unwavering support no matter what. I hope to be parents like them when I get older because without their guidance, I wouldn’t have had my achievements on the mat or in the classroom.”
Family members: parents Cody and Karen, sister Mia.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present click here
