University of Minnesota Athletics
Not Done Yet; Senior Wrestler Damion Hahn
2/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Hahn has rolled through his senior season with a 21-1 record. His lone defeat came against Cal-State Bakersfield's Matt Montiero at the Las Vegas Invitiational. Most would say that Hahn shouldn't have even been on the mat because of a rib injury suffered earlier in the tournament.
"You have seven minutes out there to wrestle and it isn't over until the referee blows the whistle," Hahn said. "That's what our team has to remember. We get caught in certain situations at the end of a match and we've given up takedowns which have cost us. You just have to keep wrestling."
Now riding a 15-match winning streak entering this weekend's dual against Iowa, Hahn is on the verge of cementing his place as one of the all-time greats to wrestle at the University of Minnesota. The defending NCAA Champion has a chance to become the school's fourth four-time All-American. He also has the opportunity to join Vern Gagne and Tim Hartung as the school's only two-time national champions. It's something that's in the back of Hahn's mind.
"It's something that I think about, but all I can do is take it match-by-match," Hahn said. "If I do what I do best out there, I know I can accomplish all of my goals. Everything will fall into place."
While Hahn has been the consensus number one ranked 197 pounder all season, he and his teammates are going through a rollercoaster ride this year. A win against fourth-ranked Nebraska was followed by a pair of losses to fifth-ranked Michigan. Last weekend, the Golden Gophers handed third-ranked Illinois its first loss of the season in Champaign, Ill. Hahn sees that victory as validation of Minnesota's postseason hopes. "I hope that after last weekend, some of our guys will start believing in themselves," Hahn said. "I honestly believe with the talent that we have and how hard the guys work in practice, we can contend for a national title. We've shown that we're right there with the top teams in the country." With the postseason looming, the careers of Hahn and fellow All-American Jacob Volkmann are winding down. This Sunday's meet is also their last against arch-rival Iowa at Williams Arena. It was during Hahn's redshirt season in 1999-2000 that Iowa won its last Big Ten and NCAA Championships. Since then, Hahn and his teammates have claimed three-straight Big Ten titles and a pair of NCAA titles. "Right now, a lot of people have us ranked behind Iowa," Hahn said. "It's a great rivalry and something you look forward to every year. The last few times we've wrestled them, we haven't had a good showing. We certainly want to go out with a victory."
When Hahn finally hangs up his Maroon and Gold singlet, his impact will still be felt as members of this year's recruiting class move into the starting lineup. Volkmann has seen the influence of Hahn firsthand.
"All of the guys look up to Damion," Volkmann said. "How can you not when a guy has had the type of career that he's had. He battles through everything and never gives up. He will leave big shoes to fill next year."
While he won't be pencilled into the starting lineup after this year, Hahn won't be far from Golden Gopher wrestling. He plans to stick around, work on his degree and begin preparation for his ultimate goal: the Olympics. Hahn hopes his experience at the college level will translate into success on the international stage, even though he knows he has doubters.
"That's been my ultimate dream ever since I started wrestling," Hahn said. "A lot of people say that I don't have a shot, but in my head, it's a totally different story. As long as I believe in myself, I feel like I have the ability to do it. Right now though, I'm just focused on this team and helping it reach its ultimate goal." If there's one thing you need to know about Damion Hahn, it's the fact the guy just doesn't quit. Flashback to this year's National Duals in Cleveland, Ohio. Wrestling All-American Sean Stender from Northern Iowa, Hahn was knocked out for a brief moment with less than a minute to go in the match. After being cleared by the medical staff to continue, the match was resumed with Hahn trailing 8-6. He earned one point from an escape and with four seconds to go, he won the match on a takedown. That's Damion Hahn.
Hahn has rolled through his senior season with a 21-1 record. His lone defeat came against Cal-State Bakersfield's Matt Montiero at the Las Vegas Invitiational. Most would say that Hahn shouldn't have even been on the mat because of a rib injury suffered earlier in the tournament.
"You have seven minutes out there to wrestle and it isn't over until the referee blows the whistle," Hahn said. "That's what our team has to remember. We get caught in certain situations at the end of a match and we've given up takedowns which have cost us. You just have to keep wrestling."
Now riding a 15-match winning streak entering this weekend's dual against Iowa, Hahn is on the verge of cementing his place as one of the all-time greats to wrestle at the University of Minnesota. The defending NCAA Champion has a chance to become the school's fourth four-time All-American. He also has the opportunity to join Vern Gagne and Tim Hartung as the school's only two-time national champions. It's something that's in the back of Hahn's mind.
"It's something that I think about, but all I can do is take it match-by-match," Hahn said. "If I do what I do best out there, I know I can accomplish all of my goals. Everything will fall into place."
While Hahn has been the consensus number one ranked 197 pounder all season, he and his teammates are going through a rollercoaster ride this year. A win against fourth-ranked Nebraska was followed by a pair of losses to fifth-ranked Michigan. Last weekend, the Golden Gophers handed third-ranked Illinois its first loss of the season in Champaign, Ill. Hahn sees that victory as validation of Minnesota's postseason hopes. "I hope that after last weekend, some of our guys will start believing in themselves," Hahn said. "I honestly believe with the talent that we have and how hard the guys work in practice, we can contend for a national title. We've shown that we're right there with the top teams in the country." With the postseason looming, the careers of Hahn and fellow All-American Jacob Volkmann are winding down. This Sunday's meet is also their last against arch-rival Iowa at Williams Arena. It was during Hahn's redshirt season in 1999-2000 that Iowa won its last Big Ten and NCAA Championships. Since then, Hahn and his teammates have claimed three-straight Big Ten titles and a pair of NCAA titles. "Right now, a lot of people have us ranked behind Iowa," Hahn said. "It's a great rivalry and something you look forward to every year. The last few times we've wrestled them, we haven't had a good showing. We certainly want to go out with a victory."
When Hahn finally hangs up his Maroon and Gold singlet, his impact will still be felt as members of this year's recruiting class move into the starting lineup. Volkmann has seen the influence of Hahn firsthand.
"All of the guys look up to Damion," Volkmann said. "How can you not when a guy has had the type of career that he's had. He battles through everything and never gives up. He will leave big shoes to fill next year."
While he won't be pencilled into the starting lineup after this year, Hahn won't be far from Golden Gopher wrestling. He plans to stick around, work on his degree and begin preparation for his ultimate goal: the Olympics. Hahn hopes his experience at the college level will translate into success on the international stage, even though he knows he has doubters.
"That's been my ultimate dream ever since I started wrestling," Hahn said. "A lot of people say that I don't have a shot, but in my head, it's a totally different story. As long as I believe in myself, I feel like I have the ability to do it. Right now though, I'm just focused on this team and helping it reach its ultimate goal."
