Dripping Springs wrestler can envision a state title in his future

DRIPPING SPRINGS

Luke Hodsden took to Twitter last week to look into the future.

“ONE MONTH UNTIL THE 2015 TEXAS STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP IN GARLAND,” Hodsden, a 182-pound junior at Dripping Springs High, posted on Jan. 21, adding the hashtags of “cantwait” and “futurechampion.”

Hodsden has been looking ahead to the 2015 UIL state meet since last February, when he lost to two-time state champion Bradley Rains of Friendswood in the Class 4A boys 170-pound final. The year before, Hodsden placed fifth in the state as a 160-pound freshman.

This winter, Hodsden has won all 42 of his matches while pinning 30 of his past 31 opponents.

“I expect for Luke to go to state undefeated, and he’s put in the work this year to bring home the championship,” said Joe Kirksey, Dripping Springs’ first-year wrestling coach. “He is just so strong and works so hard to be his best … you almost expect him to just overpower his opponent in every match.”

Hodsden credits Kirksey’s emphasis on improved technique for his success this season. He also trains at 3F Fitness, an elite amateur wrestling club in Austin...READ MORE