Determined, well-rounded, calm, and active senior TJ McLain plans on attending Commonwealth University’s Bloomsburg campus to study finance and continue his career in football. He was a captain of the football team and advanced to the regional level for choral performance. He is a very well-rounded student and has dedicated talent to many areas here at Bangor.
Between wrestling and football, which sport do you prefer and why?
I prefer football over wrestling in some aspects. I like football because it’s a team sport and I need to put trust in my teammates to win, and it’s physical. But I also like wrestling because it’s physical too, and I don’t have to rely on my teammates—it’s a one-on-one situation. But I have liked football for longer and started playing it before wrestling, so that is definitely my favorite.
What is it like switching from the football season to the wrestling season?
It’s a whole different mindset. With wrestling, you have to wrestle one-on-one with an opponent. There isn’t really a team aspect. You have to go out there and think of moves that the opponent doesn’t think you’d throw. I think the switch of moves—like tackling—translates into wrestling really well too. It’s a difficult switch with how much more conditioned wrestlers are compared to football players.
How do you keep healthy both mentally and physically during such a rough sport like wrestling?
You have to keep your head in the game mentally. If you lose, you have to come back better and learn how you messed up and how you can grow from it. Physically, most wrestlers always have some sort of injury—it’s a pretty dangerous type of sport. But the easiest way to stay physically healthy is to know what’s happening and know what you are doing.
What is it like to be so active in the world of music and sports simultaneously?
It’s different. There isn’t exactly a certain friend group I’m in or anything. It’s hard to balance, and not many people do it—but it’s fun. That’s what I like about it.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to work out and play some games like board games (Clue) or video games (Call of Duty). And if it’s warm enough, go fishing whenever I can.
How has all that you are involved in shaped you?
It shaped me into a more rounded individual. I can do things from singing to sports. They have rounded me into something of a person of all trades, in a way. Sports showed me competitiveness and teamwork, while singing showed me the soft and hard times in life through the use of music, because it shows the different emotions of the people who wrote them.
What keeps you motivated to be so involved?
My friends and teammates. They strive to win and do better, and I do too.
How do you manage doing so many time-demanding activities simultaneously?
I just go with it and have fun. I do what I can, but I like having a tight schedule.
What is your greatest school memory?
It’s probably got to be beating Pen Argyl after having a 0-9 record. It was so hype to beat our rivals for the last time. Or it had to be my junior year Pen Argyl match when everything went haywire.
What are your plans after school?
My plans after high school are to attend Bloomsburg and play football, but also get a degree in finance and maybe look into financial law afterwards.
