By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
@torterports on Instagram
ATLANTIC CITY — Chase Hansen now stands alone.
The Lower Cape May Regional High senior is the new all-time career wins leader in New Jersey wrestling history.
Hansen improved his career record to 176-7 with a narrow 4-2 triumph over Pingry’s Jack Abramson on Thursday at Boardwalk Hall in the 138-pound pre-quarterfinal round of the wrestling state championships, surpassing 2011 Bound Brook graduate and four-time state champion Andrew Campolattano, who previously held the record with a shiny 175-1 mark.
“It’s pretty cool. Campolattano and I are actually pretty good friends,” said Billy Damiana, Lower Cape May’s head coach. “We were training partners for team New Jersey when it came to freestyle and Greco, so we traveled everywhere (together). He texted me yesterday before the match and said ‘congratulations to Chase.’
“We’re past it, we’re moving on to the advancement now for the rest of the day, but it’s a big deal. 176 wins means consistency, making weight and being tough. Getting on the podium every year is a big deal.”
Hansen, who last week became the first in program history to win four region titles, will be looking to become the second wrestler in Lower Cape May history to win a state title, joining two-time state champion Shawn Laughlin, who won back-to-back 215-pound titles in 1996-1997. Hansen’s grandfather, Blair Hansen, was the Caper Tigers’ first state placewinner, finishing fourth in 1975 at 148 pounds.
Damiana said he knew Hansen would be special early on, but wins were never on either of their minds. Instead, what truly matters is what happens in the prestigious venue along the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Hansen, who is the No. 2 seed in the 32-man bracket, won his quarterfinal matchup with a pin over Solomon Soriente of Caldwell and will take on No. 3 Gideon Gonzalez of Bergen Catholic in the semifinals.
Hansen placed seventh, third and fourth across his first three seasons, respectively. Now he’s chasing the ultimate goal.
“I knew he was going to be able to do something special. We just never really counted on wins. We preach to our kids and our program all the time: no one cares about districts or regions, we only care about Atlantic City,” Damiana said. “This is something that’s definitely special.”
