Sequoyah Tahlequah’s Hudson Hendricks
Sequoyah Tahlequah junior Hudson Hendricks has grown up around two sports that could not look more different on the surface: the quiet precision of golf and the constant contact of football. Yet he has found a mindset that works in both, one built on persistence, confidence and a deep belief in hard work passed down from his dad.
“My dad inspires me because he always pushes me to pursue what I want in life,” Hendricks said. “I try to match my work ethic with his.” That example shows whether he is grinding through a practice round or lining up wide as a receiver on Friday nights.
On the course, Hendricks is most at home with his 9-iron, the club he trusts when scores matter most. He calls it his favorite because of how consistent it is, a reliability that fits his steady approach to the game. His lowest round is a 71 at his home course, Cherokee Springs, a number that reflects countless hours spent sharpening his swing.
He has also poured time into one specific weakness: getting off the tee box. Hendricks said that area of his game has been the biggest focus because it often determines whether he scores low or spends the day scrambling. Even as he chases better numbers, he never loses sight of what first drew him in. He enjoys spending time with his friends, improving his ability and having fun with his teammates.
His favorite course is Shangri-La in Grove, Oklahoma, a place that carries sentimental value because it hosted the first state tournament he ever played in. Hendricks calls it the nicest course he has played and ties it closely to some of his earliest big memories in the sport. His favorite golfer is Tiger Woods; a connection he shares with his dad and a standard he uses when thinking about work ethic and competitive fire.
In the classroom, Hendricks gravitates toward math and lists his Achieve teacher, Mrs. Livingston, as his favorite because of the close relationship they share. Athletics, he said, has taught him how to never give up and to push himself no matter how rough it gets, a mindset he believes will serve him long after high school sports are over.
When football season arrives, Hendricks switches into a different gear as a wide receiver and free safety. He said the hardest part of playing both positions is the physical demand of rarely coming off the field and still being expected to go 100 percent whether he is tired or not. To get ready, he distances himself from people before games, listens to music and locks in on his job and what he needs to do to execute.
His favorite football player is Deion Sanders, largely because of Sanders’ extreme confidence and his ability to back it up. Hendricks has also seen his share of highlight-reel moments up close. He still remembers his freshman year when former teammate Elijah Thomas, now at Oklahoma, ran a slant across the middle, elevated for a one-handed catch with no gloves and finished a 40-yard touchdown.
If he could tweak one thing about high school football, Hendricks would not overhaul the rulebook. He would simply like to see officials ease up on the knee pad rule and “not worry about it so much” so players can just play the game. Whether it is on the fairways or under the lights, Hendricks continues to build a multi-sport résumé rooted in toughness, discipline and a love for competition.
