Wabasso, Hindt get 500th win in State Tourney debut

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

ST. PAUL -- Wabasso wrestling coach Gary Hindt and the Wabasso wrestling program simultaneiously reached 500 wins in the Rabbits' State Class A team quarterfinal match Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Rabbits defeated New York Mills 32-23 to reach the semifinals on Hindt's 500th win.

"It's something the town has wanted for a long time," Chad Altermatt said. "We finally got it for Gary. It's something we've worked hard to get for him."

Hindt is the only wrestling coach Wabasso has ever had, so the fates of Hindt and the team are intertwined.

"It feels good, but mostly good for the program," Hindt said. "I'm the only coach Wabasso's had, so really, it's 500 wins for the Wabasso wrestling program."

"He's that kind of guy," Chad Altermatt said of his coach. "He's the best coach you could ever had."

"He's said that a lot this year, that it's all for the kids," Dan Hatch said. "It's been a lot of fun -- it's been exciting."

Early on, the match looked to be pretty even, as Adam Jenniges, Dan Hatch and Brandan Schunk each won by decision, and the Rabbits gave up two major decisions.

"Two matches that were key were at 119 and 135, and we won both," Hindt said. "They were both kind of toss-ups, so they were good to win."

Hatch was tied at 2-2, but pulled ahead in the second period 9-2 and held on for the 10-4 win.

"He (Hindt) just said go out and wrestle your best,' and that's what I did," Hindt said. "I wrestled my butt off and got points for the team."

At 135, Mitchell Altermatt's match was tied 3-3 in the second period when he got a reversal, followed shortly by a near fall to seal the win, as the third period was uneventful.

Then, the next five bouts were owned by Wabasso.

At weights 140-171, each win for the Rabbits was a major decision. Justin Irlbeck won 9-1, Corey Schunk won 11-3, Chad Altermatt won 15-5, Derrick Jenniges won 10-1 and Dan Mathiowetz had a 14-4 major decision. The only two pins of the match were in the 215 and 275 pound weight classes. Both were against Wabasso.

"(In the semifinals), we'll have to shape up in the upper weight classes," Hindt said. "They have to stay off of their backs. They can't go getting pinned if we want to win.

"The match was basically done anyway, but you've got to have more pride in yourself than that," he said.

Wabasso's semifinal match beginst at 1:30 p.m. today as the Rabbits face New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (27-11).

"The best part about the win is that we advance to the semifinals, " Hindt said. "We're happy we're in the semifinals."

Hindt started the Wabasso program from scratch in 1968, and their only losses this year are to Class 2A state participants Litchfield, Milaca/Faith Christian and Adrian. The Rabbits defeated Minneota, a regular entrant in the state tournament, in the Section 4A finals.

''I'm just happy to be one of four teams left without a loss in the tournament,'' Hindt said.

Ninth-ranked New York Mills was appearing in its first state tournament as well, making the trip after sharing a section with northern Minnesota power Frazee for years.

Wabasso will take on New Richland-Heartland-Ellendale-Geneva in one semifinal, while the other semifinal will feature a rematch between Pierz and Frazee. Pierz beat the Hornets 37-19 in a dual on Jan. 24.

In Class 2A team action, defending champion Litchfield was upended by Scott West 31-29. Other winners were No. 1 St. Michael-Albertville, Stewartville and Adrian, which got a double-overtime win from heavyweight Josh Winselman to break a tie with Milaca/Faith Christian.

Wabasso 32, New York Mills23

103: Adam Jenniges, Wabasso, def. Daniel Malone, 7-1

112: Jaramie Weller, NYM, major dec. Adam Ourada, 12-2

119: Dan Hatch, Wabasso, def. Jared Hotakainen, 10-4

125: Brandan Schunk, Wabasso, def. Jason Burg, 13-7

130: Brent Weller, NYM, major dec. Derek Guetter, 11-3

135: Mitchell Altermatt, Wabasso, def. Timothy Wegscheid, 8-3

140: Justin Irlbeck, Wabasso, major dec. Dustin Geiser, 9-1

145: Corey Schunk, Wabasso, major dec. Cody Salo, 11-3

152: Chad Altermatt, Wabasso, major dec. Jacob Hendrickx, 15-5

160: Derrick Jenniges, Wabasso, major dec. Damon Hessig, 10-1

171: Dan Mathiowetz, Wabasso, major dec. Zachary Hintzman, 14-4

189: Brandon Marsh, NYM, def. Jesse Schroepfer, 4-0

215: Devlin Hessig, NYM, pinned Tyler Maertens, 3:52

Hwt: Logyn Saewart, NYM, pinned Clayton Rudenick, 2:18

(Information from the Associated Press is included in this article.)