By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- He had posted a 7-3 record midway through the 2023-24 Bridgewater State University wrestling season.

Michael Hopkins (Swampscott, Mass.) was off to the best start of his career as a junior captain for the Bears after going 1-1 in a tri-meet with Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Wesleyan University on Jan. 6, 2004.

That, however, wound up being Hopkins' last competition of the season.

During a practice session, Hopkins tore ligaments and ruptured a tendon in his elbow, bringing the '23-24 season to a sudden halt.

"It was rough," said Hopkins. "I've had bumps and bruises before, but nothing that kept me out for a half of a season in any sport.

"Things were definitely headed in the right direction before that."

Hopkins managed to avoid surgery, and after constant occupational therapy, he was able to start doing some non-contact work by last April with an eye on being ready for the 2024-25 BSU season.

The marketing major put a lot of work in so that his senior year would be so much better than the rough junior year he experienced.

Hopkins is heading down the home stretch of his career with the Bears, and his has bounced back in style.

He owns a 20-13 record, tying sophomore Christian Curley (Bridgewater, Mass.) with the team lead in wins. Hopkins also leads the Bears in near-fall points with 67, and is second with 37 takedowns and 30 escapes.

"I kind of learned a lot going through the process of rehab, sitting out, watching kids compete and not being able to wrestle," said Hopkins, who is competing at 174 pounds this season. "I told myself I didn't want that to ever happen again.

"I made those adjustments in the offseason, lifted, got a lot stronger on the mat. I believe I'm starting to peak at the right time."

Hopkins finished third at the Scott Viera Invitational, hosted by Roger Williams University, and went 4-0 at the recent New England Wrestling Association Dual Meet.

He was 5-3 at the prestigious Petrofes Invitational in Pennsylvania earlier this season.

"My approach in the offseason was different than any other I've had," said Hopkins. "I'd never gone through a season-ending injury before. If there's one thing wrestling kind of teaches you is how to bounce back from adversity and overcome obstacles when they are thrown at you.

"One of the things I focused on was putting the pieces together, paying attention to detail. I was consistent with hitting the gym in the offseason. Mentally, I decided to live the healthiest lifestyle I possibly could, take care of my body."

It has paid off for Hopkins as he wraps up his BSU career on a winning note.

Hopkins was 8-18 with 15 takedowns at 157 pounds as a freshman in the 2021-22 season, then was 15-16 with 30 takedowns and 40 escapes at 165 and 157 pounds in the 2022-23 season.

"My freshman year was definitely a little rough," said Hopkins. "I was thrown into the fire, as they say. I didn't have the best season. I was cutting a lot of weight, got a little burned out towards the end.

"But I got a lot of experience from being in the starting lineup and going through the process of what a college season looks like."

By his junior year, Hopkins was up to 184 pounds, but then the injury occurred to set him back.

Now, at a lower weight as a senior, Hopkins has already exceeded his career high for wins.

"Everything he's accomplished now is through his hard work, dedication and listening to his coaches about different techniques and strategy and lifting,'' said Bears head coach Frank Cammisa. "He's truly bought in and is a prime example of the culture we've created.

"I knew he had the potential. Wrestling is one of those sports you have to work hard, do everything right and get a little lucky."

Hopkins is a team leader, serving twice as the captain, this season with Curley and junior Malcolm Chrispin (Hyde Park, Mass.).

It was a challenge being the captain in the second half of the '23-24 season when Hopkins was unable to wrestle, but he was there for teammates.

"I think there's a a lot of pride that comes with it," said Hopkins of being a two-time captain. "I don't like to use the word captain. I like to use the word leader instead. It's a position you earn. It's not given to you.

"I try to lead by example every day on and off the mat, get good grades, be a good member of the community uplift my teammates and compete with purpose.

"You're held to a higher standard. You are accountable for those around you and are a role model with how you practice, how you compete and how you carry yourself with wins and losses."

In addition to wrestling and taking his final four classes at BSU this semester, Hopkins is working remotely for Vertex, Inc., a King of Prussia, Pa.-based software development company.

Hopkins had a 10-week internship starting last June and was kept on in August to work part time while in school.

That has made for a busy year since the start of classes in September. Hopkins has a month of wrestling to go before closing that chapter in his BSU life.

"It's a little bittersweet," said Hopkins of his wrestling career coming to a close. "I've been doing the sport since seventh grade. It is a little bit sad.

"The sport has definitely helped mold me into the man I am today with all the highs and lows and the sacrifices that come with living the lifestyle of a wrestler.

"My goal is to place top three at the regionals (March 1-2), qualify for nationals and become an NCAA All-American.

"Coming here has been a very beneficial decision. All the coaches do such a good job. Bridgewater has provided me with a lot of good resources. I would say things have worked out very well here."