LCM’s Hansen reflects on tremendous state championship run that resulted in third-place finish

Posted: March 5th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Chase Hansen has just completed the greatest individual season for a Lower Cape May Regional High School wrestler in more than 25 years.

The sophomore placed third at 132 pounds at the state championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City over the weekend and set a new school record for victories in a season with 46.

His lone blemish came in the quarterfinal round when he fell by 3-1 sudden victory to Bryce Manera of Southern Regional.

“That was really tough because I felt like I won that match,” Hansen said. “I thought I scored at one point (in regulation) but I wasn’t awarded the points and then there was a tough call that went against me in overtime. But I didn’t wrestle my best. To lose my unbeaten streak, it was tough. I knew after that match I couldn’t lose any more.”

He didn’t.

Hansen put forth an extraordinary run in the wrestlebacks, scoring victories by three close decisions to set up another bout with Manera for third place. He got the victory this time, posting a 3-0 decision.

“It was definitely an eye-opener for me when I lost that match,” Hansen said. “I had to regroup. Then after I won the blood-round match, I knew there wasn’t much pressure on me after that because I had already secured my place on the podium (as no worse than a top eight finisher). I was able to wrestle really free. I didn’t hold anything back. I think I was way more aggressive with the way I wrestled once I made that run for third.”

Hansen’s third-place finish is the highest for a Lower Cape May since Shawn Laughlin won back-to-back state titles at 215 pounds in 1996 and 1997. Henry Taylor was the only other Lower wrestler to finish as high as third at states, back in 1978.

“It was an amazing experience,” Hansen said. “I love being in Atlantic City and wrestling at that tournament. It’s awesome being there in front of that big of a crowd and that many people. You don’t get that kind of exposure that much at a high level. I love wrestling in front of that many people and experiencing it with all my friends and coaches there.”

In all, Hansen went 6-1 in seven matches at the state championships. Seeded sixth in the weight class, he defeated two higher-seeded wrestlers along the way.

Hansen’s 46-1 record for the season will be difficult for any future Lower Cape May wrestler to match or beat.

“It’s really wonderful that I got to beat the school record and to be able to set that standard high for people to come try to break it,” Hansen said. “To win 46 matches is a lot in one year. Maybe I can try to beat it again. But 46 is a really good number to have.”

After consecutive seasons as a district and region champion and a state medalist, Hansen is already turning his eye toward next season.

“The next thing is to keep training, not taking any breaks and going right back into it,” Hansen said. “I still haven’t gotten to the goal I set of winning a state title. I have to keep training until next year and keep getting better.”

RUE, HARRIS ALSO COMPETE AT STATES

Two of Hansen’s Lower Cape May teammates, Ben Rue and Jahcere Harris, also qualified for and competed at the state tournament.

Rue enjoyed a solid tournament. Seeded 28th at heavyweight, he lost by fall in his opening-round match. But Rue bounced back to beat two-higher seeded wrestlers in the wrestlebacks, one by fall and the other by a 1-0 decision. He exited the tournament following a 4-1 loss in the wrestleback third round.

Harris lost by 11-3 major decision in his opener at 138 pounds. He then won his first-round wrestleback match by first-period pin before losing by an 8-4 decision in the wrestleback second round.