http://www.wyodaily.com/sports.htm
Alfonso Hernandez balances school and family
By Scott Nulph
WyoSports
LARAMIE – Teammates don’t call him “pops” or “dad.”
As University of Wyoming wrestling coach Mark Branch says, maybe that is because Alfonso Hernandez is one of the biggest guys in the room.
The UW redshirt junior simply goes by “Fonz.” It’s fitting because, as Branch says, Hernandez is almost always the coolest guy in the room.
“He’s been a model student-athlete since day one,” Branch said of Hernandez. “You expect him to stub his toe and struggle some and learn things the hard way, and he really hasn’t been through that.
“He has kept his priorities in check and really invested his time in the things that are most important to him.”
Most important to Hernandez is his family.
He came to Laramie as a freshman in 2008 with a family in tow. He was married to his wife, Stephanie, in August of 2008 and his son, Aiden, was born the following February.
Branch said he was leery of how Hernandez would handle the workload of school, wrestling and a family, all at the age of 18.
“It really didn’t take too long to figure out that he’s just a very, very mature kid,” the coach said. “There are very few people out there who could handle it.”
Added Hernandez: “Once I got married, it benefitted me. Before that, I had a lot more free time and I’d be more selfish with my time.
“Once I got married I got a lot better at time management. I know there are others relying on me now.”
Hernandez started both his freshmen and sophomore seasons, going 22-10 as a sophomore. But he failed to qualify for nationals both times.
Last season was even more frustrating as a back injury resulted in surgery that forced Hernandez to sit out.
Back this year, he wasn’t guaranteed a spot at 197 pounds. L.J. Helbig wrestled there last year and earned a spot at nationals.
Hernandez would have to work for it. And that’s exactly what he did.
“I pretty much changed my whole style on the mat,” he said. “My technique has gotten tremendously better.
“Going into this season, I was just so anxious for that first match. I had a reason to be a lot more motivated because I sat out for that whole year.”
Branch decided to move Helbig to heavyweight and keep Hernandez at 197. All he has done is go 27-4 and earn a No. 8 national ranking. He also is 5-0 in dual matches and is tied for the team lead in major decisions.
“I always had it in the back of my mind that I could perform at this level if I really wanted to,” he said. “It was all about attitude. Getting this far isn’t too surprising.”
Hernandez says the biggest key to his success is his wife. While he takes care of his school work (he’s majoring in kinesiology and health promotion and will apply for medical school this summer) and his mat work, Stephanie takes care of home life.
“My wife has been very supportive and backing me the whole way,” he said. “She’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing.
“It’s all putting everything in a routine. They’re priority No. 1, and I just have to balance out school and wrestling.”
On the mat Hernandez isn’t shy about his goal: win a national title. Both he and Branch say it is within his reach.
“I feel like I’m getting better every day,” Hernandez said. “Every day I go into practice with my whole purpose being a national championship. I feel like I’m on the right track right now.”
Back on the mat
The No. 12 Cowboys are at home on Sunday, hosting Northern Iowa at 2 p.m. at the UniWyo Sports Complex.
Counting Sunday, they have just five duals and the NWCA National Duals left on the regular-season schedule.
“We can’t afford to come out flat against a team like Northern Iowa. We’ll get beat,” Branch said. “We got beat by them last year, so we’re looking to get some revenge, and it’s important that we come out emotionally charged.”
Alfonso Hernandez balances school and family
By Scott Nulph
WyoSports
LARAMIE – Teammates don’t call him “pops” or “dad.”
As University of Wyoming wrestling coach Mark Branch says, maybe that is because Alfonso Hernandez is one of the biggest guys in the room.
The UW redshirt junior simply goes by “Fonz.” It’s fitting because, as Branch says, Hernandez is almost always the coolest guy in the room.
“He’s been a model student-athlete since day one,” Branch said of Hernandez. “You expect him to stub his toe and struggle some and learn things the hard way, and he really hasn’t been through that.
“He has kept his priorities in check and really invested his time in the things that are most important to him.”
Most important to Hernandez is his family.
He came to Laramie as a freshman in 2008 with a family in tow. He was married to his wife, Stephanie, in August of 2008 and his son, Aiden, was born the following February.
Branch said he was leery of how Hernandez would handle the workload of school, wrestling and a family, all at the age of 18.
“It really didn’t take too long to figure out that he’s just a very, very mature kid,” the coach said. “There are very few people out there who could handle it.”
Added Hernandez: “Once I got married, it benefitted me. Before that, I had a lot more free time and I’d be more selfish with my time.
“Once I got married I got a lot better at time management. I know there are others relying on me now.”
Hernandez started both his freshmen and sophomore seasons, going 22-10 as a sophomore. But he failed to qualify for nationals both times.
Last season was even more frustrating as a back injury resulted in surgery that forced Hernandez to sit out.
Back this year, he wasn’t guaranteed a spot at 197 pounds. L.J. Helbig wrestled there last year and earned a spot at nationals.
Hernandez would have to work for it. And that’s exactly what he did.
“I pretty much changed my whole style on the mat,” he said. “My technique has gotten tremendously better.
“Going into this season, I was just so anxious for that first match. I had a reason to be a lot more motivated because I sat out for that whole year.”
Branch decided to move Helbig to heavyweight and keep Hernandez at 197. All he has done is go 27-4 and earn a No. 8 national ranking. He also is 5-0 in dual matches and is tied for the team lead in major decisions.
“I always had it in the back of my mind that I could perform at this level if I really wanted to,” he said. “It was all about attitude. Getting this far isn’t too surprising.”
Hernandez says the biggest key to his success is his wife. While he takes care of his school work (he’s majoring in kinesiology and health promotion and will apply for medical school this summer) and his mat work, Stephanie takes care of home life.
“My wife has been very supportive and backing me the whole way,” he said. “She’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing.
“It’s all putting everything in a routine. They’re priority No. 1, and I just have to balance out school and wrestling.”
On the mat Hernandez isn’t shy about his goal: win a national title. Both he and Branch say it is within his reach.
“I feel like I’m getting better every day,” Hernandez said. “Every day I go into practice with my whole purpose being a national championship. I feel like I’m on the right track right now.”
Back on the mat
The No. 12 Cowboys are at home on Sunday, hosting Northern Iowa at 2 p.m. at the UniWyo Sports Complex.
Counting Sunday, they have just five duals and the NWCA National Duals left on the regular-season schedule.
“We can’t afford to come out flat against a team like Northern Iowa. We’ll get beat,” Branch said. “We got beat by them last year, so we’re looking to get some revenge, and it’s important that we come out emotionally charged.”
