Hobart comes together for second place at 3A team state

Key Takeaways:

• Hobart High School wrestling team achieved second place in Class 3A at the IHSWCA team state tournament.
• The team overcame early-season challenges, including lineup absences and weight issues.
• A pivotal victory over rival Lowell marked a turning point in their season.
• Senior wrestler and Purdue recruit Aidan Costello won all his matches at the tournament.
• Coach Johansen credits the team’s newfound unity for their success and looks forward to the postseason.

A Team Transformed

It’s all coming together at the right time for Hobart High School’s wrestling team. Once a collection of talented individuals, the Brickies have forged a unified team spirit that propelled them to a historic second-place finish in Class 3A at the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association (IHSWCA) team state tournament on January 11 in Franklin.

Overcoming Early Challenges

“We’ve had a lot of things go wrong this season,” Coach Zach Johansen reflected. “We’ve had guys out of the lineup. We’ve had guys miss weight at tournaments. But we always knew that as soon as we put a team together, we were going to be good.”

Early in the season, Hobart struggled with cohesion. Individual accomplishments didn’t translate into team success, and setbacks seemed to mount. However, the tide began to turn when the roster started showing up to practice early—arriving just after 2:30 p.m. for a 3:30 p.m. session.

“That’s who Hobart is now: a team capable of doing big things,” Johansen said.

Pivotal Victory Over Lowell

The defining moment of their season came during the quarterfinals of the team state tournament against Lowell, a rival that had previously defeated them 51-23 on December 11. This time, the Brickies turned the tables with a 39-30 victory.

“We put Lowell on a pedestal a month ago,” senior wrestler Aidan Costello remarked. “This time, we were just ready to punch the next guy in the face. Every single match, we were on each other. Every single point, individually and as a team, we just wanted to put it all together as much as possible.”

Hobart opened the dual with four consecutive pins, setting an aggressive tone. “That’s where everyone just clicked,” Johansen noted. “It was like, ‘OK, let’s go win a state title.'”

Standout Performances Lead the Way

Costello, a Purdue recruit ranked No. 4 in the state at 165 pounds, showcased his skill and leadership by winning all three of his matches at the tournament. He secured two victories with first-period pins and earned a 5-1 decision over Roncalli’s James Dozier, who is ranked No. 15 in the state.

The Final Against Roncalli

Advancing to the final, the Brickies faced off against Roncalli. Hobart started strong, winning the first four matches, though only two were by pin. The momentum shifted when Hobart forfeited the 106-pound match, and Roncalli capitalized by winning the next five matches, including three pins and two major decisions.

“We were so close. We smelled it, and then it was ripped away,” Costello said. “We’re all proud of what we did. We know that we’re not trying to show people what we can do. We’re doing what we’re supposed to do.”

Building Camaraderie and Looking Ahead

Despite the loss in the final, the tournament solidified the team’s unity and reignited their aspirations. “The camaraderie that we built in just that short span of time was amazing,” Johansen expressed. “It was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Costello echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s transformation. “We all knew deep down that we were at that level,” he said. “We knew that taking that next step was something that was achievable. It didn’t come as a shock to us. We knew we could do it if we put everything together.”

Eyes on the Postseason

With their sights set on the postseason, the Hobart wrestling team aims to leverage their recent success. The experience at the team state tournament has not only proven their capabilities but also strengthened their resolve to achieve even more.

“No one wants to lose, but the way that we came together as a team and were able to show that we could do this was just amazing,” Johansen said. “We’re doing what we’re supposed to do.”