Get to Know Your Raiders: Chris Kochinsky

Senior Chris Kochinsky is back on the wrestling mat for the Raiders for the 2012-13 season.

A Middletown native, Kochinsky returns after redshirting last season and hopes to pick up right where he left off in 2011 – a season in which he earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championships. Kochinsky placed fourth at 125 pounds and became SU’s first lightweight All-American in five years.

A mid-level elementary education major, Kochinsky went 22-10 in his first season at Shippensburg in 2010-11 and is 3-1 so far this season, including a decision against Division-I Rider and a major decision last night against Millersville in the Raiders’ home opener from Heiges Field House.

Get to know Chris Kochinsky…

What is your favorite pre-match ritual?

Hanging out with my teammates and talking about what we’re going to eat after the match.

What part of Shippensburg, either the campus or the town, do you most enjoy?

I enjoy the campus, it’s not too large and everything is close enough that you can walk to it quickly.

What is the best class you've taken at Shippensburg?

RDG 413 – “Teaching Reading to English Language Learners” with Dr. Cheryl Slattery.

If you weren't majoring in mid-level elementary education, what would your major be?

Criminal justice.

What is your favorite day of the week, and why?

Friday, it’s the end of the week and it’s about one of the only times I have to relax.

Which are your favorite PSAC schools to compete against, and why?

Gannon, they have some wild fans that they bring with them and it’s always a good environment to compete in and against.

If we asked your teammates to say a few words about you, what do you think they would say?

That I joke around a lot and that I’m laid back.

Which individual athletic accomplishment are you most proud of?

Becoming an NCAA All-American (fourth place in 2011) for Shippensburg.

What's the most difficult part of being a student-athlete?

Time management, trying to balance practice, class, studying and any extra workouts you may need to get in along with traveling and missing classes.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned being a student-athlete?

Time management.

What piece of advice stays with you at all times?

Stay focused and believe in yourself.

If you could talk to children who are just beginning to show an interest in wrestling, what would you tell them they should focus on?

Focus on keeping it fun, because once it’s no longer fun, it’s not worth doing anymore.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future athletes at Shippensburg?

I want kids to want to be like me both on and off the mat. And I want to hopefully bring Ship wrestling its second national title this year.