Tiger Alum Hatch Has National Mat Title In His Sights
March 6, 2020 at 2:01 a.m.
Tiger Alum Hatch Has National Mat Title In His Sights
By Steve Krah-
He committed himself to wrestling excellence at Warsaw Community High School and went 168-16, including 134-6 over his last three prep seasons while placing three times at the IHSAA State Finals (eighth at 106 pounds in 2014, seventh at 120 in 2015, third at 152 in 2017).
Hatch has stepped it up each year at Wabash College, placing eighth at 157 in the NCAA Division III Championships as a freshman in 2018 and sixth at 165 as a sophomore in 2019.
That makes him a two-time All-American.
Wabash head coach Brian Anderson has watch Hatch take it to a new level as junior for the Little Giants.
“I always preach ‘take pride in the process,’” says Anderson. “What we do is not easy. We’re a very unique sport. You’ve got to be dedicated to have success. He’s bought in this year even more than I’ve ever seen.
“He’s really goal-driven. He works his tail off.”
Hatch will head to the 2020 NCAA D-III meet March 13-14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 33-0 (17 pins) and ranked No. 1 at 165 by InterMat.com.
“It’s cool to see that,” says Hatch of the No. 1 ranking. “But, in all reality, I don’t think too much of it. You have to prove your worth in this sport.
“It’s having that hustler attitude to go after things.” Anderson says Hatch will have seen about half the nationals bracket during the 2019-20 season, including Mount Union’s Antwon Pugh (who Hatch beat 7-6 in the NCAA Division III Central Region finals). The Wabash schedule has been crafted with the idea of seeing more styles and so the nationals are just another meet with a little more at stake.
“We want (Hatch) to keep his motion going,” says Anderson. “When he’s dictating the action, it’s difficult for people to stay with him.
“He carries a lot with his attacks, which is unique at the college level.”
Hatch has taken Anderson’s advice to heart.
“He expresses the idea of sticking to the process,” says Hatch. “It’s putting your head down working, staying focused on what needs to get done. You don’t get distracted and don’t sell yourself short.
“My goal is to become a national champion. I know I can do it if I give it everything I’ve got and am healthy.”
So Hatch is vigilant about diet and his preparation. If he has to drill a certain move 500 times, he will. He is always working on “fixing the small thing for the bigger picture.” Hatch says he has improved most in being able to turn his opponents for back points and pins during seven-minute matches (three minutes for the first period and two for the second and third).
“You get wrist control,” says Hatch, who was given the nickname “The Sloth” in high school for his grip strength. “You’re getting their chest on the mat before you turn them. Being able to collect wrist makes it easier to control their whole upper body.
“I’m doing it better than I ever did.”
Hatch has come a long way since he was a 106-pounder as a Warsaw freshman.
“I’ve definitely grown a lot since then,” says Hatch. “I’ve put on muscle and gained a couple inches in height. I kept on eating.” A typical week with a weekend tournament includes 6 a.m. weightlifting sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays until the postseason. Practices are at 4:20 p.m. Monday through Friday.
After practice, Hatch does his homework and, if there’s free time, he spends it with his friends.
Hatch says it takes good time management to balance school and wrestling. The current class load for the religion major and history minor is chemistry, creative writing, American literature, Religion of Japan and Study of Hebrew Parables.
For 10 years, Eracleo Vallejo has been a part of the Wabash coaching staff. The 2003 Wawasee High School graduate was an All-American at Manchester College (now Manchester University).
“He’s Mr. Positive on our staff,” says Anderson. “He’s really easy-going and high energy. He finds way to lessen the pressure.
“He’s absolutely huge for our program. Our guys love him.”
Count Hatch among the Vallejo fans.
“He really helps out,” says Hatch. “He makes sure we’re working hard and keeps a positive attitude in the wrestling room.”
He committed himself to wrestling excellence at Warsaw Community High School and went 168-16, including 134-6 over his last three prep seasons while placing three times at the IHSAA State Finals (eighth at 106 pounds in 2014, seventh at 120 in 2015, third at 152 in 2017).
Hatch has stepped it up each year at Wabash College, placing eighth at 157 in the NCAA Division III Championships as a freshman in 2018 and sixth at 165 as a sophomore in 2019.
That makes him a two-time All-American.
Wabash head coach Brian Anderson has watch Hatch take it to a new level as junior for the Little Giants.
“I always preach ‘take pride in the process,’” says Anderson. “What we do is not easy. We’re a very unique sport. You’ve got to be dedicated to have success. He’s bought in this year even more than I’ve ever seen.
“He’s really goal-driven. He works his tail off.”
Hatch will head to the 2020 NCAA D-III meet March 13-14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 33-0 (17 pins) and ranked No. 1 at 165 by InterMat.com.
“It’s cool to see that,” says Hatch of the No. 1 ranking. “But, in all reality, I don’t think too much of it. You have to prove your worth in this sport.
“It’s having that hustler attitude to go after things.” Anderson says Hatch will have seen about half the nationals bracket during the 2019-20 season, including Mount Union’s Antwon Pugh (who Hatch beat 7-6 in the NCAA Division III Central Region finals). The Wabash schedule has been crafted with the idea of seeing more styles and so the nationals are just another meet with a little more at stake.
“We want (Hatch) to keep his motion going,” says Anderson. “When he’s dictating the action, it’s difficult for people to stay with him.
“He carries a lot with his attacks, which is unique at the college level.”
Hatch has taken Anderson’s advice to heart.
“He expresses the idea of sticking to the process,” says Hatch. “It’s putting your head down working, staying focused on what needs to get done. You don’t get distracted and don’t sell yourself short.
“My goal is to become a national champion. I know I can do it if I give it everything I’ve got and am healthy.”
So Hatch is vigilant about diet and his preparation. If he has to drill a certain move 500 times, he will. He is always working on “fixing the small thing for the bigger picture.” Hatch says he has improved most in being able to turn his opponents for back points and pins during seven-minute matches (three minutes for the first period and two for the second and third).
“You get wrist control,” says Hatch, who was given the nickname “The Sloth” in high school for his grip strength. “You’re getting their chest on the mat before you turn them. Being able to collect wrist makes it easier to control their whole upper body.
“I’m doing it better than I ever did.”
Hatch has come a long way since he was a 106-pounder as a Warsaw freshman.
“I’ve definitely grown a lot since then,” says Hatch. “I’ve put on muscle and gained a couple inches in height. I kept on eating.” A typical week with a weekend tournament includes 6 a.m. weightlifting sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays until the postseason. Practices are at 4:20 p.m. Monday through Friday.
After practice, Hatch does his homework and, if there’s free time, he spends it with his friends.
Hatch says it takes good time management to balance school and wrestling. The current class load for the religion major and history minor is chemistry, creative writing, American literature, Religion of Japan and Study of Hebrew Parables.
For 10 years, Eracleo Vallejo has been a part of the Wabash coaching staff. The 2003 Wawasee High School graduate was an All-American at Manchester College (now Manchester University).
“He’s Mr. Positive on our staff,” says Anderson. “He’s really easy-going and high energy. He finds way to lessen the pressure.
“He’s absolutely huge for our program. Our guys love him.”
Count Hatch among the Vallejo fans.
“He really helps out,” says Hatch. “He makes sure we’re working hard and keeps a positive attitude in the wrestling room.”
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