Henderson named Wrestler of the Year.
WALKER COUNTY WRESTLER OF THE YEAR CHRIS HENDERSON, RIDGELAND, SR.
If the toughest thing to do on a wrestling mat is to win a state championship, then perhaps the secondtoughest thing to do is repeat as state champion.
But that’s exactly what Ridgeland’s Chris Henderson did this past season.
Coming into the 2016-2017 campaign as the odds-on favorite to be standing atop the podium in Macon on the final day of the season, Henderson left no doubt as he turned in the best season of his stellar prep career.
And today, Henderson takes his place among the best wrestlers in Ridgeland and Walker County high school history by being named the Walker County Wrestler of the Year for a second consecutive year.
“It means a lot, but going back to what I said last year, it didn’t matter if I placed (this year) or not, all the glory goes to God,” Henderson said. “I’m just glad He gave me another chance to go out there and get another state title.”
Ridgeland’s 220-pound bulldozer went 59-1 in his final season in a Panther singlet, losing only to an out-of-state competitor in tournament in Kingsport, Tenn.
His last loss to an in-state wrestler was the Class AAAA 220-pound state finals in his sophomore year, when he fell to Marist’s Kenneth Brinson. Brinson, who was ranked by some services as the No. 1 220-pounder in the nation at the time, went on to play football at Army.
After winning the area and sectional tournaments for a third straight year, Henderson won his first three matches at the state finals in Macon last month, including a rematch against last year’s state finalist Lazavier Moore (UpsonLee) in the semifinals. He would take on senior Nick Holman of powerhouse Jefferson in the title bout.
Holman came into the match with a 45-5 mark, but couldn’t get any offense going against the quicker, more agile Henderson, who used a takedown early in the third period to go on to a 5-3 win.
“Getting the first (state title) was a lot tougher, because I really didn’t know what to expect. It’s all just an adrenaline rush when you get out there,” Henderson explained. “This year, I just believed in my coaches. Coach Josh (Mariakis) and Coach K (Keith Mariakis) told me not to worry. We had seen film on (Holman) and they said if I just stuck to my shots and my defense and if would explode up from my base, I’d be fine.”
Henderson finished his four years at Ridgeland with a dazzling 178-28 overall record with nearly half of those 28 losses (13 of them) coming in his freshman season when he placed fifth at 285 pounds.
“He’s just been remarkable,” Panthers head coach Keith Mariakis said. “Chris is one of those special kids. Jacob Harris won three (state titles) here, but I don’t think anyone else has won as many as two. Not only did Chris win two, he finished runner-up as a sophomore and fifth as a freshmen so you’re talking about someone who has done a lot of things here at Ridgeland.
“He’s part of this senior class that has really helped get Ridgeland back on the wrestling map. We asked them four years ago to help us do that and he’s been a big part of it. I couldn’t ask for anything better. Now he’s getting ready to put all this high school stuff behind him and get ready to focus on college for the next four years and we’re really excited about that.”
“If I left any legacy here, hopefully it will be that you have go all out every moment, even in practice,” Henderson remarked. “I’m always excited to be out there, even in practice.”
Speaking of legacies, Henderson may have the second-most state titles ever at Ridgeland, but he said he believes his lofty standing on that list will only be temporary.
“Jacob Mariakis will be a three-time state champ too,” said Henderson, speaking of the Ridgeland sophomore, who won his first state championship at 138 pounds this past season. “I’ve got him for right now, but he’s going to do it and pass me by the time he gets done.”