> Shamrock Wrestling Interview

Chris was recently interviewed by Shamrock Wrestling in a live chat, which took place on October 22, 2006. The interview is posted on http://shamrockwrestli.mybbland.com/viewtopic.php?t=359, or the text can also be read below.

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1- First of all, congrats on your efforts at Sunkist. did you think your impact on the Senior Freestyle circuit would be so immediate?

CF- Thanks. I wasn’t sure what to expect after taking such a long time off after my collegiate career. I hadn‘t seen the new rules and I hadn’t wrestled much Freestyle for a long time. I knew I could go with all those guys but I really didn’t expect to go out and win the whole thing in such a tough weight. I was very pleasantly surprised.

2- Describe the thought process of deciding to train full time at fingerlakes. with your credentials you could certainly have had a lot more lucrative positions as a full time D1 assistant.

CF- Deciding to relocate was a very hard decision, but I knew this was the ideal training situation. It’s perfect for me and my career goals. The final decision came down to training partners. They have a good young staff with great credentials who can help me tremendously.

3- What is the general mood/ tone of the Fingerlakes workouts? thats a lot of talent in that room. Is it relaxed, or ultra competitive?

CF- It is super competitive in the room. You put this many high caliber guys together it’s gonna be. Everyone got to where they are by being competitive and I think that is what makes everyone here improve so drastically. We all push each other everyday, but off the mat everyone gets along and hangs out.

4- One of your potential rivals on the FS circuit, Travis Lee, is at FLWC. Is that at all a concern for you?

CF- not at all, if it was a concern for either one of us I wouldn’t have made the move. Travis is a great guy and a great training partner. I think we both have as much to gain and lose from the situation anyway.

5- Take us back to your career at Purdue. what stands out as your favorite memory in your NCAA career?

CF- I had a lot of great memories at Purdue but my proudest moment was coming back from academic probation for my senior year. I had dug myself a deep hole and it was really hard to come back from, but it was worth it. I had a good senior year.

6- Now the other side of the coin, your biggest disappointment?

CF- That’s an easy one, not winning that title. I went to Purdue to win a national title and didn’t get the job done. No excuses. I think that’s why I’m so motivated now, that failure is really driving me in my open career.

7- Which of your opponents did you really hate facing? Why?

CF- that’s a tough one, because I wrestled so many tough guys. I’d have to say TJ Hill. As you probably know TJ is short, like 4’11’. I’m not tall by anyone’s measure, but matching up with him was very difficult and frustrating

8- Who would you say had the biggest impact on your wrestling career?

CF- My Mom . She took me to all the events, whatever it took to get the job done, but she never pushed me to win. She always supported me and reminded me of what was important: to get better and to be learning all the time.

9- What wrestling related lesson did you learn late in life, that you wish you had known in High school?

CF- Probably not to get down on myself after a bad practice. I used to get really upset. Now I think the workouts I learn the most from are the ones that don’t go like I planned.

10- A lot of Section 4 NY wrestlers and coaches in here tonight that are anxious to welcome you to our area. Any general impressions in the short time you've been here?

CF- Well I’ve mostly been unpacking and working out, so I haven’t had much time. But the kids at FL practices are at a pretty high level. And it’s great to see so much support for wrestling. I’m excited for the upcoming season to meet all the fans and area coaches and wrestlers.

11- what advice would you give to young wrestlers in the room tonight?

CF- There is a lot of advice to be given out that I wish I had known when I was younger. If I could say one thing, it would be to never settle. Set your goals high and don’t stop til you reach them. People will always say bad thing and try to bring you down. Ignore the negative and pursue your dreams. You don’t want to look back and say 'what if.'

12- Tell us a little about your new website.

CF- It’s called www.fleegerwrestling.com It was designed by my good friend Danielle Hobeika. I wanted it too be a place to keep fans and wrestlers informed. I also wanted a place where I could interact with people on a more personal level.

13 What's coming up in your competitive schedule?

CF- Right now I’m still getting settled in in Ithaca and relaxing, but I’ll next compete at the NYAC in November.

***Chris then answered questions from some of the 26 different chatters that logged on for this interview. We were unable to save this portion of the chat, but topics ranged who the best looking coach in the Fingerlakes room was to the whether or not he underestimated Valenti this year.***