John Fuller/TheMat.com
For the past couple of years, Sam Hazewinkel of the Gator WC has been thought of as a national title contender – in college. However, in Las Vegas, he won a different national title – in Greco-Roman at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Hazewinkel rolled through some of the top Greco-Roman wrestlers in the world on his way to the national title, including veteran Lindsey Durlacher, who is hungry after sitting behind Olympian Brandon Paulson.
TheMat.com sat down with Hazewinkel and asked him about winning that national title, and how he made such a quick transition from college to Greco-Roman.
TheMat.com: Is it weird to win a national title in Greco-Roman before you win one in college?
Hazewinkel: A little bit. I always figured I would win an NCAA title, but on the other hand, it’s not really a surprise because I have always been good in Greco.
TheMat.com: Is there a difference in preparation from college to Greco-Roman, especially at the high level you compete at?
Hazewinkel: It’s a different style, so you have to train differently. I don’t do a whole lot differently. It’s nice that I can do my own scheduling. College is such a long and demanding season. With Greco, I can set my own pace.
TheMat.com: How have you been able to maintain such a high level of competition in Greco-Roman, even though you are training a completely different style for seven months out of the year?
Hazewinkel: That was my dad’s fault. He had us changing styles since I first started wrestling. I just thought everybody did that. I was surprised when I started wrestling freestyle and Greco-Roman at the international level and learned that everyone else only did one style.
TheMat.com: If you do win the World Team Trials and compete in the World Championships, would you take a break at the front end of next college season?
Hazewinkel: Yeah, I probably would. I’d be in there by the time we had our first dual meet. That first month where everybody has to get back in shape, I would definitely be resting my body up.
TheMat.com: Talk about the weight difference and how that affects you. In college, it is 125 lbs., but in Greco-Roman, it is 121 lbs.
Hazewinkel: It’s not too bad. I can make 125 without any real problems. I walk around about 130-131. That four pounds does make a difference. Last year I didn’t have any problems making it. This year, it wasn’t too bad until about that last pound. It didn’t want to come out for a while. I am real fortunate that I don’t have to cut a lot of weight.
TheMat.com: What are your thoughts on the new international rules?
Hazewinkel: I like them. They fit my style real well. I don’t think they’ll stay that way real long. I think (FILA) will tweak them, like they always do. I wish the matches were a little longer. Conditioning is one of my advantages. I can’t complain because I like them better than the old rules.
TheMat.com: Who are your workout partners for Greco-Roman competition?
Hazewinkel: Michael Lightner was my main workout partner in going from college to Greco. I like doing freestyle. I think it keeps you in shape a little better than Greco. He did Greco with me and Teyon Ware did a lot of Greco with me as well.
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