Virginia wrestler Chris Henrich is off to a solid start in his sophomore season. The 174-pounder and reigning ACC Freshman of the Year swept through four matches last weekend at the Michigan State Open to win his first college tournament. In the process, he knocked off three wrestlers who qualified for the 2008 NCAA Championships. This weekend, the road gets no easier, as the Cavaliers battle No. 9 Illinois, No. 12 Wisconsin and Michigan State.

Talk about the first competition last weekend at Michigan State. Obviously it was a great one for you.
Henrich: “It was definitely a great weekend for me, and as a team I think it was OK, but we have some banged up who need to get healthy. For me, it was the best I’ve ever felt. My lungs are there, and everything I worked on over the summer came together. I’ve been getting kind of itchy from wrestling the same guys over and over again and it gets in your head and you start to make mistakes. But then you get out for the tournament and no one knows your offense or what you’re going to do and everything opens up.”

What was your offseason like?
Henrich: “It was a big time for me. I was here (in Charlottesville) for most of the time but even when I was home I was still working, although I pulled back a little just so I could stay fresh because I know it’s easy to get burnt out. I was still lifting four times a week and doing everything I could to not get burnt out but at the same time, keep getting better. While I was here, I went really hard and we went over a lot of stuff. When there’s no pressure and you have plenty of time to work on things, it becomes really easy. That’s really the time to get better. It’s when you can improve by leaps and bounds.”

Can you see any difference in yourself this year?
Henrich: “I definitely am a lot more confident. Now I’m on the radar and people know who I am. The national ranking is great, but we have a goal for March to become an All-American and everything I do eat, sleep and drink outside of academics is working my way toward that goal of becoming an All-American this year.”

Do you take any stock in the rankings?
Henrich: “It’s great for the team. It’s our second national ranking ever and it’s our highest ranking, but I still know that even though we’ve come a long way, we still have a lot of work to do. At the same time, it’s little things here and there and all of a sudden you’re beating teams in the Top 15.”

How has your NCAA experience benefited you?
Henrich: “It has helped me unbelievably. Just going out there, you’re warming up with these guys who, when I was in high school, I would read about in magazines. They almost seemed surreal to me. It was like they trained in a place that you couldn’t imagine making it to.  It definitely equalized things for me. They’re men just like us who are training hard. People jump ahead of each other all the time, and people also fall off. It’s all about making the right decisions. Going out there really helped me see that.”

Coach Garland has talked about the improved intensity in the wrestling room this year. Can you describe what it is like this year?
Henrich: “It has been incredible this year. Everyone wants to get better you don’t want to waste that practice. The intensity and emotion has been unbelievable. I still feel like we need a few more weekends or maybe just one weekend where we really come together as a team and support each other, even though we all know that we have each other’s back but it comes down to showing it.”

Have you decided on a major yet?
Henrich: I really enjoy economics and I want to do something in the business world after I graduate.

What do you like to do outside of wrestling?
Henrich: The thing I miss the most is my family obviously. My family used to go on camping trips, but we haven’t been able to since I’ve been here the last couple of summers. I also watch a lot of movies. I will watch them by myself or with a bunch of people it really doesn’t matter.