12/30 wrestling: Learning experience: Holmen’s Hackett finishes 2nd at Bi-State

By Caitlin Lyga | La Crosse Tribune

There was no special preparation, extra warm-up, covert strategy or coveted advice.

Holmen High School’s Ian Hackett knew the name of the wrestler he faced in the 140-pound Bi-State championship, but he

didn’t let that rule him. Bloomington Kennedy’s Dylan Ness, a two-time third-place finisher at the MSHSL state tournament, was looking for his second straight Bi-State championship.

But Hackett approached his esteemed opponent at the inner circle of center stage with little change in his demeanor.

And he wrestled with pure determination.

Ness (20-0) and Hackett (19-1) fought through two periods before Ness earned a pin 30 seconds into the final period.

Ness descended the stage a two-time Bi-State champion, and Hackett left the mat with an exceptional learning experience.

“It was a great situation for Ian to be in,” Holmen coach Ross Needham said.

“Up on the stage, at a tournament we host, against an excellent wrestler, one of the best wrestlers in the tournament, with nothing to lose.”

Although he didn’t capture the gold this year, Hackett could see the

positive.

“I wrestled as hard as I could, I left it all on the mat, and that’s all I could do,” said Hackett, whose biggest source of motivation came from a place not on the main floor.

“I had a great cheering section,” Hackett said with a smile, as any disappointment momentarily disappeared.

Needham was quick to add some perspective to the feat.

“We talked about last year how he was wrestling in the seventh-place match and finished eighth. The jump that we made in one year, from eighth to second, it shows how much he’s improved,” Needham said.

Hackett’s jump in performance from 2007 to 2008 included a key victory in Tuesday morning’s semifinals.

He defeated Coulee Region rival Steve Stark of West Salem/Bangor 5-3 to earn a spot in the championship.

Hackett closes this year’s Bi-State tournament with many lessons learned, a few goals accomplished, and a new driving force, shared by both himself and his coach.

For scoreboard, click here

“We’re already excited about coming back next year,” Needham said.