John Fuller/TheMat.com
In 2000, Sammie Henson was one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the world. He had just won a silver medal at the Olympic Games and already had a World gold medal that he won in 1998.
After taking a break, Henson came back to attempt to make the Olympic Team in 2004. He lost in the Olympic Trials to eventual Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas, but Henson felt that he had not done enough to prepare for that comeback.
TheMat.com caught up with Henson and talked to him about his comeback and his future in the sport.
TheMat.com: You hadn’t won a national title since 2000 before this year. Describe the emotion that goes into finally being back on top in the U.S.
Henson: It felt great to be able to do something like that. It doesn’t happen too often. That makes it special “being 34 and being able to win a national title, and also thinking that I might not be able to wrestle past 2000. Once I made a plan with Kevin Jackson, it came through and felt great.
TheMat.com: Everyone knew that you would make a good run at the Olympic Team last year, but you had retired before 2004 then came back. Why have you decided to keep going?
Henson: I talked to Terry Brands this year in the cafeteria at the Olympic Training Center. He and I have a common bond in that I didn’t think I was done. I wanted to be done, but in my heart, I was never done. I still had the drive and the capability. When you have those things, it’s hard to let it go. If I would have taken fourth or fifth, then it’s time to let it go.
TheMat.com: Did Stephen Abas moving up in weight influence your decision to stay around at all?
Henson: Abas wasn’t going up the weight when I made my decision. I didn’t care what he was doing. I know he’s not afraid of me and I’m not afraid of him. He could come back down at any time. I think that Sammie Henson now is a different person than Sammie Henson a year ago. My mentality in the sport is at a different level. I am sure his is as well, but I think the matches would be a lot closer now. Abas is a great competitor. He’s one of the best in the world, and I have the utmost respect for him. It would be a great match.
TheMat.com: With Teague Moore and Abas both out of your weight class now, is there anyone who can challenge you in the U.S.?
Henson: I always believe that you can get beat on any given day. I’m too old to fall into any traps. I’ve done some stuff that has come back to haunt me. With that outlook, it helps me stay on top. I do think that we’re a stronger team with me and Abas at different weights.
TheMat.com: What are your thoughts on the new style of wrestling. Have the new rules helped you or hurt you internationally?
Henson: I think a champion always finds a way to win. The rules have changed four or five times since I’ve been competing. You always find a way to adapt. It has changed my style, though. Last year, I would be all over a guy and sometimes give up a lot of points. This year, you can’t give up those points. My hands are down a little more, but guys aren’t getting in on my legs either. It’s made me slow down and be a better wrestler.
TheMat.com: On the World scale right now, where would you rank yourself?
Henson: Top three.
TheMat.com: There has been talk that you may follow Joe Seay to Tennessee-Chattanooga. How true are those rumors?
Henson: Joe and I have a close relationship. I love Joe and I’m so happy for him that he gets a chance to redeem himself a little bit and go out the way he wants to go out. It’s kind of like me in my wrestling career. If there’s an opportunity for me to go there and still compete, then I’m going to do it, especially as an assistant coach, kind of like what Chris Bono has. The option is open, I just don’t know if he’s going to have the funding to do that. And it is close to Clemson.
TheMat.com: Virginia Tech moved into the ACC in wrestling last year, and Liberty Univ. added wrestling back this year. If Clemson were to bring its program back, what would be your level of involvement?
Henson: I’d be the next head coach at Clemson University. That was always my goal. It’s a classy place to coach. When they do commit to something and involve a sport, it’s 100 percent. That’s one of the reasons why they got rid of it “the fact that they weren’t able to commit 100 percent.
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