15 hours Ago By Tom Fox
Hanover Area freshman CJ Caines landed on the medal podium in his first trip to Hershey for the PIAA Class 2A boys’ wrestling championship. The Hawkeye was sixth in the 114-pound weight class after reaching the championship semifinals. Caines finished his year with a record of 46-6.
His 46 wins were the third-highest in all of District 2. What was it like heading down to Hershey as a freshman? Were there any nerves: Not really. I knew that I just wanted to do my best.
I knew that I had the ability to get on the podium. I really didn’t look at the bracket. I just wanted to focus on one match at a time.
Were you happy with the way you wrestled this weekend against some of the best, not only in the state, but the country: At times, I don’t feel like I wrestled to the best of my ability. I was battling a little illness over the weekend, but I was happy that I was able to make the podium. What is the experience like as a freshman in Hershey? I would imagine that it’s going to help you over your next three years: Yeah, it definitely will.
It’s a great experience to wrestle there as a freshman, and it is kind of nerve-racking when you see all the people watching you wrestle. I think I’ll know what to expect more next year, and I’ll be able to handle those nerves a little better. In your own words, are you happy with the way your freshman season went: I was happy.
There were some matches that I lost where I feel like I could have won them. Overall, I did way better than I thought that I would. I won a lot of matches.
I’m pretty happy. What are you looking to work on in the offseason heading into your sophomore year: I need to working on the hand fighting more. I’m also hoping that I’ll be able to settle my nerves a little faster in those big matches.
Get to Know CJ Caines Year: Freshman. Hometown: Hanover Township. Age: 14.
What are some of your hobbies outside of school: I like to hang out with my friends, and go to the gym. How would you describe yourself to someone: I would say that I pretty funny, and I am also really shy. Dream vacation would be: By any ocean in a beach house.
Pre-match rituals: I just like to stretch really long before a match. Favorite school subject: Math. Last song you listened to: “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar.
Your team is coming over for dinner and you are the chef. What are you making them: Cheeseburgers. Funniest teammate: Chase Smith or Michael Perez.
You can pick any type of superpower. Which one are you picking: Teleportation. Role models: My parents.
They’ve always been there for me, and they’ve showed me how to do everything that I know. In the future: CJ would like to attend college and wrestle collegiately at the Division 1 level..
