Junior Sam Hazewinkel won the conference championship at 125 lbs., prepares for national championships
by Robert Przybylo
One wrong was righted when OU junior wrestler Sam Hazewinkel won his second conference championship at 125 pounds. Another one still hangs in the balance.
Hazewinkel has finished third place on two occasions at the national championships. He said he has been on a mission this year to change that result.
The national wrestling championships take place March 16-18 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. He took a step in the right direction claiming his 125-pound crown from the man who dethroned him last year at the conference championships.
OSU sophomore Coleman Scott defeated Hazewinkel, 2-1, in overtime to win his first title last year. Hazewinkel reversed the score winning a contested 2-1 battle to take back his championship.
“He won it last year, I won it this year,” Hazewinkel said. “It’s always a battle out there between us. I’ve been lucky to get the best of him this year.”
Hazewinkel has defeated Scott in all three meetings between the two this season.
“It never comes easy against a great opponent like Coleman,” head coach Jack Spates said. “Sam fought hard, and I’m happy for him.”
With the scored tied at one apiece and late in the final period, Scott gave himself an opportunity to ruin Hazewinkel’s dream yet again.
Scott shot for a high single leg takedown and had Hazewinkel’s leg up in the air. After a year of frustration, Hazewinkel would not be denied. He worked his way out of the predicament and earned the victory with the riding point advantage.
“I had tried hard not to think about last year’s match,” he said. “I’m learning how to wrestle tall guys. I’ve got two weeks to figure it out.”
Hazewinkel has only lost one match, against Michigan State junior Nick Simmons in a 4-2 decision in February.
The road for Hazewinkel will be a rocky and tough one. The Big 10 features four of the top eight wrestlers at 125 pounds. Hazewinkel has only faced one of them and lost that bout.
Simmons enters as the Big 10 champion after Indiana senior Joseph Dubuque was shocked in the semifinals. Dubuque had gone the entire year undefeated and top-ranked.
“I made one mistake last year, and it cost me,” Hazewinkel said. “I’m preparing differently, and I’m ready.”
Hazewinkel has defeated seven of the ranked wrestlers at 125 pounds.
“I have no worries about Sam,” assistant coach Robbie Waller said. “Sam’s wrestling better than ever before. It’s his time.”
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