Three Hudson Wrestlers Poised for WIAA State Meet

Seniors Nick Larson (152 pounds) and Gordon Johnson (119 pounds), along with junior Tanner Owens (135 pounds) of the wrestling team have qualified for the which starts today at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence have propelled these wrestlers to the pinnacle of their high school careers. But for all three, the best may be yet to come. 

“I think each boy can be a state place-winner (top 6),” said Wrestling Head Coach Chris Hansen. “All three have qualified for state before, so becoming a place-winner is the next logical step.”

Experience is just one of the many key assets that Hansen says will lead the athletes to the next level. Owens and Larsen have become just the second and third kids in Hudson history to be three-time state qualifiers. Owens is just a junior so next year he will attempt to become the first ever four-time state qualifier.

But Owens has had to work twice as hard to make it this far. During football season, he broke his arm, but Hansen said that although he is working on a shortened season, he has progressed nicely since December.

While their high school careers will come to an end in just a few short weeks, for one Raider, he may just be getting started. Larson will be wrestling at UW-La Crosse next year, which is currently ranked 21st in the nation.

All three boys have been on varsity their entire careers, which began as freshmen; a testament to the strength and character of the wrestlers.

But while all three may have different styles or techniques, Hansen commends their efforts of putting the team before themselves.

“All three boys are very similar in the fact that they are very dedicated to their goals. Each boy has excelled at balancing their individual goals while keeping the entire team in perspective. Each kid, at some point, has sacrificed for the good of the team. We place our teams' success very high at Hudson High School,” Hansen said.

This year marks the first time Hudson will be represented as a team at the WIAA State Meet. The Raiders will face Holmen on Friday, March 4, beginning at 7 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Fieldhouse.

The Raiders are poised to make some noise in Madison, and Hansen shares in the enthusiasm and excitement.

“I really believe we can have three place-winners this year and that has only happened once in school history (1999)," Hansen said. "I am also excited about our entire team going to Team State for the first time in school history. We have Individual State this weekend and then Team State the following weekend. Two weekends in a row in Madison.”

Experience, dedication, and excellence are just the beginning of the words that can be used to describe three Hudson wrestlers. And after this weekend, they may add the title State Champion.