Senior Spotlight: George Maholtz, Eastside

(PHOTO | LEIGH CLEMENT)

George Maholtz is a senior wrestling star for the Eastside Eagles. Last week, Maholtz was honored for setting the record for most career pins by any high school wrestler in South Carolina history. Greer Sports Star caught up with Maholtz to talk about his record, his wrestling career, and his plans for the future.

Greer Sports Star (GSS): First off, congratulations on setting the state record for most career pins. Is that something you knew was potentially coming soon, or did it take you by surprise?

George Maholtz (GM): I sort of knew it was coming up. We had been keeping track of it for a little while, so I made sure my whole family was in attendance for it. My older brother was actually in my corner. It was a really cool experience to share with all my family and the fans in attendance.

GSS: How cool was that for you? What emotions were you feeling after setting the record?

GM: Honestly, I was at a loss for words. I came in as a freshman looking for that record. I felt like I could be one of the most dominant to ever wrestle in South Carolina, so if I could just get this record, I knew it would be amazing to put my name in the books. This is something I’ve been chasing for a while.

GSS: When did you first fall in love with wrestling?

GM: I started wrestling when I was three. Wrestling has always been a family business for us. My dad [Eastside assistant wrestling coach Dave Maholtz] wrestled in high school, and he’s been a coach for many years. I was born into this program. And if you look up at our state championship banners, from 2016 until today, both of my older brothers were on every single one of those state championship teams. Wrestling has been something that my family has loved since I was a boy, and I just picked it right up.

GSS: Do you plan to continue wrestling in college?

GM: I do. I was lucky enough to get an offer from the University of Lander. They've been runner-up in NCAA Division II for the past two years, and I was lucky enough to commit to Lander back in October.

GSS: What do you want to study at Lander? Any future career plans?

GM: I'm going to be an Exercise Science major. My end goal is to be a physical therapist. I've dealt with my own injuries throughout wrestling and had to go to rehab myself. So, I want to be on that side of getting an athlete back onto the field, back on the track, or back on the mat. I know a lot of guys are like me. They're willing to die for their sport, and they'll do whatever it takes to get back out there. I want to be a part of helping someone do that, just like people have been for me.

GSS: Obviously, Eastside wrestling is known for its continual success. Thirty-three straight region titles. Nineteen state championships, nine in a row. What is the secret that makes this program so successful?

GM: You know, it starts in this room [wrestling practice room]. Every Monday through Thursday, we have the youth program coming in here. A lot of our best guys have come through our youth program. We have such a good feeder program that builds these younger guys up, so that year after year, we have a bunch of dawgs coming in here and keeping the tradition of success going. I think that’s our biggest key.

(PHOTO | LEIGH CLEMENT)

GSS: What kind of music do you listen to before a match to get ready?

GM: One of my favorite songs to listen to is First Day Out by Tee Grizzley. But sometimes, I’ll listen to country music to calm me down and get my head in the right place. Artists like Zach Bryan or George Strait. They calm me down and get me out of my own head.

GSS: Who is someone you really look up to and admire?

GM: My older brothers, David and Ben. We have quotes on the walls from former Eastside wrestlers, and I'll come in here from time to time to read both of my brother’s quotes. They were both two-time state champions. My style of wrestling is the same as theirs. I’ve been able to learn from them, and I look up to them as role models. They are the people that I want to be.

GSS: What do you hope you’re remembered for at Eastside? What do you want your legacy to be?

GM: Honestly, my wrestling hasn't been for the accomplishments. It's been for the family and friends that I've made throughout my time at Eastside. I want the little kids in the youth program who walk in every day to look up to me. I want them to want to strive not just to be a good wrestler like me, but to have good character. Being a good person and having good character will get you a lot more in this world than anything else. That’s what I want people to look up to me for and remember me for, not my accolades.