Hinton having successful season against ranked foes

---

Tweet

In a tough Big Ten wrestling schedule, nobody’s been more embattled than 174-pound sophomore Ian Hinton.

Hinton has faced six straight ranked opponents in a stacked conference, holding up well despite the strength of the competition.

Hinton defeated Michigan’s No. 16 Justin Zeerip in a triple-overtime match on Jan. 29 before squaring off Sunday against Purdue’s No. 6 Luke Manuel in an exciting fight to the finish.

Hinton held a 4-1 lead before Manuel began a comeback to earn a 7-5 victory. Hinton also has faced Iowa’s No. 2 Jay Borschel and lost a close match against Illinois’ No. 14 Jordan Blanton.

Hailing from Nappanee, Ind., Hinton won high school state titles at 171 pounds and 189 pounds, going 94-0 during his junior and senior seasons.

Despite the tough competition he’s already faced, the road doesn’t get much easier for Hinton, as one of this weekend’s opponents, No. 3 Ohio State, has a ranked wrestler.

Earlier this week, The State News caught up with Hinton.

The State News What’s your favorite part about being an MSU wrestler?

Ian Hinton Just feeling good out there, having fun and being on a big stage as a Big Ten wrestler.

SN How old were you when you started wrestling?

IH I started when I was about 5. My dad was a wrestler in college, and I’ve been wrestling every summer and every season since.

SN What’s been your fondest memory as a wrestler?

IH So far it’s making it to the NCAA championships as a freshman last season.

SN What’s been the most embarrassing moment as a wrestler here?

IH Probably losing to the No. 6 guy from Purdue this weekend after I was up 4-1. I’ve never lost when I’ve been up by that margin before and it’s kind of embarrassing.

SN Why did you choose MSU?

IH I went to a couple visits at Northwestern and Central Michigan, and even though those are traditionally stronger wrestling programs, I really clicked with the guys here and just love the wrestling program here and the prestige of the athletic department and everything about it.

SN Do you have a prematch routine before you wrestle?

IH I have a Gatorade and Boost Energy Drink. I also always wear lucky socks.

SN What’s been your favorite class at MSU thus far?

IH I liked the Social Science of Sports class about college athletics and the economics of college sports.

It kind of changed my view about things from wanting to study kinesiology to make me interested in advertising.

---