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“I have a mentality every time I go into a match that it’s 1-0,” said Ozark wrestler Hunter Tennison, “I don’t care what the other person is ranked, I don’t care what their record is, I treat all of my wrestlers the same.”
That mindset has worked for the Ozark senior.
“He just loves to compete. He works at it, has a good attitude, and we want him there in that moment for sure,” said Tigers wrestling coach Tod Sundlie.
Undefeated heading to the end of the regular season, it’s not just the mental aspect that helps Hunter lock up wins in the 285 weight class.
“I gave up a lot of weight in the match. I’m only weighing in at 240, and I feel like because I’ve given up that weight it’s letting me move a little faster than others. I wrestle more like a light weight than a heavy weight,” Tennison said.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t call him a typical heavy weight, the higher levels you go the more athletic they get. He’s definitely a high level athletic heavy weight,” said Sundlie.
Hunter is a state title contender in wrestling this season, on top of that, he was named 2nd team all state as a defensive lineman this year in football — but he’s not playing either of those sports in college.
“Ever since I was little I’ve loved to do all sports. The number one thing that’s stuck out was I was always throwing a baseball. Football and wrestling, I love them both to death; I never would have thought to quit any of them, but I do know that whenever I get to college I want to play baseball,” said Tennison.
And just like he did with football, he’s cherishing every second of his final wrestling season.
“Every bit of every match I have, every second of it I’m just soaking it in, because I know after this season it’ll be my last contact sport actually, because baseball isn’t contact,” Tennison said.
As he continues to strive for a perfect season, and hopefully a state title, Hunter Tennison is our Arby’s High School Athlete of the Week.
