INDIANAPOLIS – Warsaw senior wrestler Kyle Hatch was making his third appearance on the mats at the IHSAA State Finals and his experience showed Friday in the first round at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. “I really didn’t have nerves,” Hatch said after he pinned Southridge sophomore Tucker Schank in 2:25 and moved to 48-0 on the season. “I have more of a ‘have-fun’ mentality here. “I just go out there and do what I do, wrestle my style. I don’t pay attention (to scouting reports). I only know if I’ve wrestled them before.” Friday was the first time Hatch stepped on the mat with Schank. Hatch, who is ranked No. 3 by Indiana Mat, placed eighth at 106 pounds in 2014 and seventh at 120 in 2015 and is back for a last go-round. “(Saturday) I plan to leave it all out there and have fun,” Hatch said. “Win or lose, I’m ready for it.” With his win Friday, Hatch improved his career record to 166-15, a mark that includes 120 pins. Hatch owns school records for career wins and number of pins, and Friday tied Justin Brooks for most wins in a season. Wawasee sophomore Braxton Alexander (41-4) also earned a chance for a top-eight state placing by beating Homestead senior Blaigh Rushing 3-0. Alexander said he chased Rushing and felt he might have gotten a few more points had more action taken place in the center of the mat. “I didn’t wrestle how I wanted to,” Alexander said. “I’ve got to do better than that. I was aggressive. “I couldn’t turn him in that third period, I just had to work side to side.” Alexander said his practice week saw him struggle with his diet and preparation. “I didn’t wrestle as strong as I should have and I was a little weak on the way out there. I was not as strong as I usually feel,” he said. “I may have been a little too ready because I don’t want to overlook anybody.” Alexander did not have a scouting report on his opponent. “I had no idea who that kid was,” Alexander said.
