By Nader Ihmoud
Last year Max Schneider shocked the Illinois high school wrestling world by doing everything but win the state title. This year’s State championship run had little shock value.
Schneider returned to the State final again this season, defeating Dametrius Mitchel of Hersey, by injury default in overtime. Many believe Schneider would have won the match regardless, since he was up by one point with under 30 seconds remaining in the match when the injury occurred.
Schneider battled injuries of his own throughout the season, and wrestled in the state tournament with a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff.
“I could not raise my (left) arm higher than 90 degrees,” Schneider said.
Schneider recently had surgery to repair these injuries and is scheduled to return to action after two to three months of rehab.
The Off-Season
From working out at the Dojo to hanging out with friends, Max finds time in the off-season for the important things in his life. He is a normal teenager, who just happens to be a talented freak of nature.
Some may argue that because he has been practicing Judo since a young age, his wrestling success is a natural result. Without the hours of hard work and dedication he and his parents have put in, however, Schneider would be just another untapped piece of talent. His hard work does not end with the school year. On summer days Schneider takes 10 mile runs, eats right to maintain his weight, and spends a lot of time at the beach to tan and hang out with friends.
In-Season
Most student athletes find it very difficult to do the “extra” work necessary to excel in their sport while keeping up with their grades. They usually get home late, and have just enough energy to eat and do homework.
Schneider, however, finds the extra energy for a three mile run or a half hour to an hour workout after practice, but he admits to its difficulties.
“Time management is one of my biggest troubles because I have to balance working out, staying in shape, keeping my weight, and maintain my grades,” Schneider said.
Schneider believes his disciplined work habits are what separates him from his peers.
“Everyone has potential and it’s just that I have the mental capacity to go through with (the extra),” he said.
Pushing members of the wrestling team to give even more of themselves is a common request of the coaches. After practice the team gathers together to discuss practice and methods of improvement. The coaches often advise the team to put forth the extra effort and go on runs when they get home.
A favorite question Coach Meidona would ask the team was “Do I need to teach you guys how to run?” He would often follow this up with rants about how when he was a wrestler he ran five miles every day after practice unless there was a meet the following day. He also challenged the team to do extra push-ups and sit ups to get stronger, because the team was “weak.”
Meidona’s motivational challenges were rarely aimed at Schneider who did not need to be reminded to work hard. Schneider knew his potential and that a State championship was at stake for him this season.
Schneider continued to push himself throughout the season with large and small goals to keep him motivated like staying undefeated and not giving up a takedown. The ultimate goal, of course, was a State championship.
Though he did give up his first takedown of the year on the second day of the Sectional Tournament, Schneider achieved his goal of staying undefeated and walked away a State champion.
