From February 14 through 16, the Hastings High wrestling team was in Omaha for state wrestling. Ten out of 14 wrestlers qualified for state. Junior Damen Pape was one of those who qualified. Pape has been wrestling since he was five. He has qualified for state three times.
“I placed second my freshman year and third my sophomore year I got first place at state this year,” said Pape.
Pape was ready for state. The hardest part for him was staying in weight for those three days at state wrestling.
“I was really confident going into state, the toughest part was making weight 3 days in a row,” said Pape.
Pape plans to beat all his competition next year for his senior year and he also plans to go to off-season tournaments and lift.
“I plan to repeat this year and go undefeated and have no close matches,” said Pape.
One way Pape prepared himself was focusing on his techniques and on his matches. The most difficult part for Pape was staying focus.
“Staying in mentality was the hardest part in wrestling,” said Pape.
The wrestling team were district champs this year.
“I think we did really good we had our ups and downs but fought through it,” said Pape.
As a team, the Hastings wrestlers placed third at state.
