Josh Hokit: The life of a two-sport athlete

WRITTEN BY: junior tight end/communications student intern, Kyle Hendrickson

FRESNO, Calif. – As I walk to class on a gloomy Tuesday afternoon, legs dragging from early morning conditioning, I see a familiar face. It's sophomore running back, Josh Hokit sitting on the stairs of the North Gym, wearing a new set of workout clothes. He is waiting for practice, a second practice, for a revamped sport on campus, wrestling.

Hokit has chosen a unique and often unheard of path in college athletics. He has decided to not only play football, a demanding and time-consuming sport already, but to wrestle as well.

"I have been involved in these two sports almost as long as I can remember," Hokit said. "I can't imagine not competing in both."

You may have heard the name "Josh Hokit" making its' rounds about the Fresno State Athletics world as the kid from Clovis walking onto the football team and not only making the team, but earning a start by the end of the season. The linebacker turned to hard-nose running back when called upon by the coaches. However, there is more to Hokit than just football talent.

The wrestling program at Fresno State was announced to be reinstated on March 1, 2016 after the program was dropped from the University on June 15, 2006. This makes Hokit part of the first team set to compete in NCAA wrestling at Fresno State again in over 10 years.

"It is exciting to be part of something so big," he said with a smile. "I can't think of another Division I wrestling program to be brought back."

Hokit is already making an impact in the sport of wrestling as a Bulldog, winning the Edinboro Open in Pennsylvania on Feb. 4 and placing second and fourth in two prior events he competed in unattached.

"I lost to a good kid in my second tournament," Hokit said. "I knew I would see him again and I wasn't losing twice."

He states it is hard to say exactly how hard it will be to juggle the two sports because the wrestling season does not start until later this fall and they are only practicing twice a week at this point.

Hokit has been wrestling almost his entire life, starting at the young age of 4. He began playing football a few years later and fell in love with both sports.

"It's just something about the grind of the sports," Hokit said. "I can't really explain it, I just can't imagine not doing it."

Originally from a small town near Bakersfield named Wasco, Hokit opted to transfer with the help of his family during his sophomore year of high school to Clovis High due to better opportunities and a better wrestling program.

"I wanted to go somewhere where I could compete at a higher level and get my name out there," Hokit said. "Clovis is one of the best."

He not only competed, he excelled. While at Clovis High, Hokit placed three times in the CIF Wrestling Championships and placed first his senior year in 2016. During his time there he was ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation.

However, his wrestling honors were not to be overshadowed by his ability on the gridiron. In the fall, Hokit was a phenomenal athlete when it came to football.

He was named the Three Rivers Athletic Player of the Year, the Central Section Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team all-state selection after recording 125 tackles at linebacker and rushing for 820 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. Hokit was also named the Fresno Bee Athlete of the Year.

"You just can't beat football," he said with a smile. "The brotherhood, the comradery, it's an unreal feeling to be part of a football team."

With the Fresno State football season just around the corner, Hokit wishes to continue to focus on both. He says that it is difficult to choose a favorite sport, when he thinks of the two. He has always loved wrestling, but a football team is incredible to be a part of too.

His passion for competition is evident in the way he speaks about his goals for the future. Simply put, he always strives to be the best in whatever situation he is put into.

"Not many people have the ability that I have," Hokit said. "I have to make the most of the opportunities that I have."

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160

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Josh Hokit: The life of a two-sport athlete

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