Student-Athlete Check In: Austin Hoopes – Penn State Wrestling
As the events of early March unfolded and changed all over the country, Penn State student-athletes found themselves facing uncertainty and transition in their academic and athletic realities.
The Penn State wrestling team, winners of eight of the last NCAA National Championships, were just days away from heading to Minnesota for the 2020 NCAA Championship when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. As the entire Penn State family works for ways to stay connected, we can check in with some of head coach Cael Sanderson's wrestling team to get some insight into how typical student-athletes reacted, adjusted and began the process of forging ahead in our current circumstance.
Today we check in with Austin Hoopes. Hoopes posted an 11-7 overall record this past season and made his Penn State dual meet debut. He picked up his first Big Ten dual victory on Feb. 2 when he downed Maryland's Niko Cappello 3-2 at 197.
Austin took the time to answer some questions from GoPSUsports and offers some good insight into the daily life of a Nittany Lion during this time:
GoPSU: What was your first reaction when you heard that spring break had turned in to online learning?
Hoopes: "That is was time to tackle a different kind of challenge."
GoPSU: How have you been adapting to online learning?
Hoopes: "I developed a routine quickly which helps to stay organized and on top of my schoolwork."
GoPSU: Do you have a new favorite food or pastime since you were last on campus?
Hoopes: "I have started fishing a lot more."
GoPSU: What has your family been doing together during this extended period of social distancing? Any family activities, etc.?
Hoopes: "My brother and I go fishing a lot and we will lift together."
GoPSU: What is the one thing you miss most right now about not being back at Penn State?
Hoopes: "I miss being with my team. They are family to me and it's like not seeing my brothers."
GoPSU: How have you been keeping in contact with your teammates?
Hoopes: "We have team zoom calls every once in a while."
GoPSU: What other things have you done during this time away from Happy Valley?
Hoopes: "I actually love be in happy valley and have just been focusing on getting strong and staying on top of my classes."
GoPSU: What is the first thing unrelated to sports that you are going to do when you get back to campus?
Hoopes: "I'm going to go see my best friend!"
