The Southland wrestling program had a series of firsts this year, but unfortunately none of them were first-place finishes at the state tournament.

Monday, March 04, 2002

The Southland wrestling program had a series of firsts this year, but unfortunately none of them were first-place finishes at the state tournament.

Two Rebel wrestlers – 145-pound senior Tom Hamilton and 152-pound junior Adam Landherr – reached the final day of the 2002 State Wrestling Tournament, coming away with a pair of top-four places Saturday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

It was the first time in Southland wrestling history that two Rebel wrestlers went to state and placed. Hamilton and Landherr also became Southland’s first pair of Section 1A champions, and both eclipsed 100 career wins earlier in the year — the first time it’s ever happened in the same season.

And as head coach Bill Feuchtenberger said, both made a great run at it.

"These two kids really had a great year," Feuchtenberger said. "The whole team had a great year."

Hamilton, in his first, last and only trip to the state tournament, ran into defending 140-pound champion Mitch Kuhlman of Medford in the semifinals, where he was knocked off his run at the title by a 12-1 major decision defeat. Kuhlman eventually repeated as champion, while Hamilton fell into the consolation bracket, where he went 1-1 and took fourth place in his last season.

Hamilton’s loss in the match for third place was particularly hard to swallow for the senior. He was defeated in a 4-2 decision to Wabasso’s Brandon Irlbeck, the same wrestler Hamilton had defeated 8-6 in the quarterfinal round.

"I think initially yes, he was pretty disappointed," Feuchtenberger. "Yeah he wanted to be in the finals, and then he wanted to win third place. You definitely like to see your seniors win their last match, but it didn’t work out that way."

"Hamilton had a hell of a year, he just happened to run into Kuhlman."

Hamilton finished the year 37-6 overall, with two of his losses coming to Kuhlman, another to Irlbeck, one to 152-pound qualifier Jacob Zamzow, one to a Class AAA state runner-up, and one to GMLOK rival Mitch Bunne. Hamilton finished with 119 wins in his four-year career.

Clash of unbeatens

Landherr, a junior, put his undefeated record on the line for the 152-pound Class A title against another undefeated, Cory Harnitz. The sophomore from Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial emerged 36-0 after posting a 15-5 major decision over Landherr in Saturday night’s championship match.

"Adam went at him real aggressive, he’s always aggressive," Coach Feuchtenberger said. "He maybe tried to force the issue a little too much."

Landherr’s assertiveness opened offensive opportunities for Harnitz, who took advantage for some big points late in the match.

"The score was a little misleading, but I’d rather have (Adam) finish like that then stand there and lean on the kid knowing he’s lost."

Harnitz elaborated in his celebration, leaving Landherr something to remember for next year’s title chase.

"Losing that last match is particularly hard on a senior, but juniors can just use it to get pumped up for the next year," Feuchtenberger said.

Landherr’s career record now stands at 129-27 after missing half of this season with an injury. Landherr finished 26-1.

Both Hamilton and Landherr, along with teammates Zach Stratton, Joe Klaehn and Isaac Klaehn were named All-Conference.

Jared Gilles earned honorable mention.

Results:

(Southland only)

145–Tom Hamilton dec. Jordan Hirsch (Howard Lake-Waverly-Winstead) 5-1; Hamilton dec. Brandon Irlbeck (Wabasso) 8-6; Mitch Kuhlman (jr., 41-1, Medford) major dec. Hamilton 12-1; Hamilton dec. Abe Olson (Trinity at River Ridge) 4-2; Irlbeck dec. Hamilton 4-2 for third.

152–Adam Landherr (Southland) tech. falled Josh Hiltner (Eden Valley-Watkins) 16-0; Landherr dec. Lee Rahrlein (CGB/C-A) 7-5; Landherr dec. Mike Felling (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa) 11-4; Cory Harnitz (so., 39-0, LCWM) major dec. Landherr 15-5 for championship.