Thomas Haines was all set. He couldn't wait. A lifelong dream of this Pennsylvania wrestler was going to come true.
Then, without any warning, it was taken away.
It was during the summer, and college coaches were allowed to go to a recruit's home. Wrestling legend and Penn State head man Cael Sanderson came to the door, but what he had to say wasn't pleasant.
“Cael came down to my house, and he told me that he didn't think I was a good fit,” According to Haines “People thought I de-committed because they got [Nick] Nevillis, but it was because of what Cael said.
“I started to look around and found that Ohio State was a good fit for me. I think being a Pennsylvania boy and wanting to go to Penn State, I never gave anyone else a chance.
“I'm actually really glad it happened because I think I'm in a better place for me. I mean, it was really hard. It kind of hurt, but now it's going to fuel me.”
Haines has to put his college career on hold for now. He has some unfinished business as a high-school senior.
The Solanco standout enters this season trying to become a four-time state champion. Derry's Jimmy Gulibon was the 10th wrestler in PIAA history to accomplish the feat when he stood atop the podium two years ago.
It won't be an easy task. Haines is getting ready for college early, bumping from the comfortable 220-pound weight class to heavyweight.
“I thought about it a little bit, but I try not to too much,” Haines said of making history. “I'm taking one match at a time.
“That is at the end of the season, and there is an entire season until that time.”
Haines is in preparation mode.
Most big men enter the season needing to get in wrestling shape. Haines doesn't have that issue, as he is coming off three months of high school soccer and has kicked up his regiment to include three club practices a week.
There are trips to Shippensburg to work with Chris Bentley. He has also traveled to Middletown to work with Mike Nauman and Team Griffin. When Haines wants to stay close to home, he attends Franklin & Marshall College.
“It's not about really changing stuff as much as adding things,” said Haines, who weighs in around 240. “I do a lot of the same things I did, keeping my condition up and making sure I seek out the best competition.
“I have to get my quickness up and be better conditioned than my opponents. I need to be technically sound.”
Continued Haines, “I just think [heavyweights] being bigger than me, I mean, they can be 285, which is a big difference. You don't want to be underneath that. You want to get around them and be a better athlete.
“Strength comes into play, but it's more how you use the strength. It's the technique you have supplemented by the strength you have.”
Haines is the complete package.
He usually hits his stride in mid-January when the Mules head to Council Rock South for Escape the Rock. From there, he rides momentum through the state tournament.
It's worked so far.
Haines has amassed a career mark of 132-5 and has only lost one postseason match. That came in the District 3 final as a freshman, when he dropped a 3-2 decision to East Pennsboro's Zach Nye.
“Obviously, you want to win every match, but hitting your peak is huge,” Haines said. “If you don't cut your weight right, you aren't going to wrestle right. You have to make sure you do everything in your power to be completely prepared.
“To win a fourth state title would be pretty amazing. I'm hoping I can do it and make everyone proud.”
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