Sarasota Athlete of the Week: CJ McCutcheon

Riverview High senior CJ McCutcheon couldn’t have wrestled any better at the Class 3A-Region 2 meet at Lakeland George Jenkins this past weekend.

McCutcheon didn’t have a single point scored against him in the 215-pound weight class and his opponent in the regional final match forfeited rather than face him. 

He is the only regional champion in the Sarasota area and will have a chance to compete for a state championship as the lone representative from Riverview at the 3A state championships from March 6-8.

When and why did you start wrestling?

I started wrestling when I was pretty young. My dad put me in it because he wrestled (at Riverview). I’ve always liked tough sports where it’s physical, or as he likes to call it, ‘blood sports.’ He put me in jiu-jitsu and wrestling when I was younger and I did pretty good.

What’s been the most memorable moment this season?

One of my favorite memories is when we went up to Alabama for a tournament. We made it into a little road trip and we had some of the other wrestlers with us. It was a lot of fun. We wrestled in this big convention center and all the best teams from four states were there.

What’s your favorite all-time wrestling memory?

I would say probably last year. I went to states and I went with coach (Brian Sebaaly), of course, but I was by myself. That was the first time I’d ever been to states, so I had some pretty big nerves. I wound up wrestling my way to the semifinals and I was doing great. I went for a cradle and he slipped it and came on top, and I ended up losing, but it was a pretty close match. 

What’s gone right for you this year?

My coach bringing in good training partners for me. Some of the best guys you could possibly get, like (Timothy Peoples), a wrestler at George Jenkins who placed third in the state last year at 190 pounds. In order to get me to that elite level, I had to hone in my technique and fundamentals, and he’s definitely helped me get there.

What’s your favorite meal?

My favorite meal of all-time is definitely all-you-can-eat sushi from Ichiban. My favorite roll is the Mexican roll. It’s basically fried tempura shrimp in a sushi roll with fish eggs on top.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

The Walking Dead. I love it. I’ve watched it like eight times.

Do you have any go-to warm-up songs?

I used to, but I tend to not do that as much now. I try to just lock in and get into my zone. I’m a Christian, so I pray before all of my matches, basically talking to God so I can get through all of my matches. 

If you’re not wrestling, what are you doing?

Probably hanging out with my girlfriend, Raegan Hackney. 

What’s been your most humbling moment in wrestling? 

I’d have to say underestimating one of my opponents. I went out there to wrestle him and I ended up getting pinned because I went out there too confident. He threw me in a headlock and I just couldn’t get out of it. It taught me not to be too overconfident going into my matches and that everyone is a threat.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

I love wrestling because I get to hang out with the people I like to hang out with. I get to hang out with the boys and we have fun at the hotels we stay at during our two-day tournaments. 

Who’s your favorite wrestler and why?

Brian Sebaaly. He was a jacked specimen with 5% body fat in college. Just an absolute specimen. 

Finish this sentence. CJ McCutcheon is…

Reliable.