Wrestling: Hanson's life has been a strength test
Ionica Hanson scraps for everything in life. That's the way he's been from birth.
A lot of that determined mindset as a two-time, state-qualifying wrestler and senior at West Seattle High School came from Hanson's start in life.
Since beginning his life in orphanages in his native Romania, Hanson spent his first eight years with a survivalist approach. Hanson never knew his birthmother, and his father died when hit by a bus before his son's birth.
"It was tough to get enough food in the orphanage," said Hanson, whose first name is pronounced u-nique-a. "When I was a kid, I didn't really know where I was. I had my friends around, but if I wanted extra food, I had to work for it and I did.
"I'd sweep floors, take out the garbage or whatever was asked."
Older orphans, up to age 18, would sometimes make claiming those extra morsels difficult.
"The older kids' lives were messed up, so they tried to mess yours up," Hanson recalled. "Basically, the older kids controlled the food. They'd tell you to save your apple or bread, and if you didn't have it for them, you'd get whipped."
Now, it's Hanson doing the whipping on the wrestling mat. With another major difference.
"But I'm not angry," he said. "I'm calm on the mat."
The hard-working Hanson goes for his third consecutive Metro League title in the 140-pound weight class Feb. 5-6 at West Seattle High School. He has set a goal of becoming Metro's second state titlist and first in 21 years.
Hanson's life in the United States began literally by chance. Ron and Jayne Hanson had just wed, both in their late 30s, and wanted to start a family. The newlywed couple watched video of two Romanian orphans, thanks to the World Association of Children and Parents (WACP).
"Once you see a video, you make an immediate attachment," Ron Hanson said. "We knew. We wanted them to be part of our lives."
Ron and Jayne Hanson flew into Bucharest, Romania, and then drove 12 hours through Transylvania tothe remote city of Satu Mare. The adoption was finalized on Feb. 16, 1994.
A little more than a year later, the Hansons — along with Ionica — returned to Romania to finalize the adoption of one of Ionica's orphan friends, Serin, and the family officially gained another son.
"My dad and mom have given me so many good morals," said Hanson, who began wrestling at Madison Middle School in eighth grade. "They're the greatest parents ever. We've cried together. It's just normal to be with them. I don't think about the past. I feel like I've been with them since Day 1."
Once he arrived in the U.S., he had some catching up to do. ""I was pretty far behind in my schooling," said Hanson, a 19-year-old senior. "I was put in a grade below what I would've been. But I caught up."
Hanson expects to earn a 3.4 grade-point average this semester and has a cumulative 3.1.
"Obviously, there's something that drives him," said West Seattle coach Josh Kuich. "Where it comes from exactly, I'll never know. He doesn't like to lose, I know that. That's probably more where the drive comes from."
The journey for Hanson is far from over.
The West Seattle senior hopes to cap his four-year career with a Class 3A state title at 140 pounds.
"I've thought about my life and where I am, and I just have to think I've been meant for something great," said the 5-foot-6 Hanson, who played football for West Seattle for three years before concentrating on wrestling this season. "He just has this strength of character," said Ron Hanson, noting that Ionica is ranked No. 3 at 140 for all classifications and No. 1 in 3A by Washington Wrestling Report.
Strong on his feet and a masterful takedown artist, Ionica . is 22-3 this season and 94-21 in four seasons overall. He must deal this season with Burlington senior Coby Jones, who beat him in the first round of state the last two seasons.
"He's in the best shape I've ever seen anybody," said Kuich, who won four Metro titles when known as Josh Peña at West Seattle. "It's who's in the best shape that will win in the end. He's better than last year. He got better year by year. If he wins a state championship, he'll take over that role of best wrestler to come out of West Seattle."
After high school, Hanson plans to walk on to the North Idaho College wrestling team in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and pursue a degree in business.
"Maybe I'll take some cooking classes, because the ladies like guys who can cook," said Hanson. "I want to be a Renaissance man. I'm learning to play piano, but it's tough."
For now, though, Hanson's main goal is becoming a state champion. He gets up at 5 a.m. to go jogging every day during wrestling season.
He wants to be somebody.
"Knowing I can be a state champion, that's what drives me," he said.