Bachman captures fourth at state

By RYAN RICHTER

Staff writer

Mike Dawes and Andrew Bina are two of the greatest wrestlers Hillsboro High School has ever seen.

Dawes earned a medal as a freshman in 1992-93 with a fourth-place finish for Hillsboro before going on to capture three state titles in 1994-1996 at Andale.

Bina came out of nowhere in 2006, setting the single-season record for takedowns and finished as state runner-up — longtime Trojan coach Scott O’Hare’s highest individual finisher.

The Hillsboro greats have company after this past weekend’s Class 3-2-1A state wrestling tournament at Fort Hays State University with sophomore Jordan Bachman.

Bachman bettered his finish of a year ago taking fourth place, joining Dawes as the only other underclassmen to earn state medals while breaking Bina’s record.

The Trojans finished 37th out of 69 schools, scoring 16 points.

The tournament also saw the north part of the state’s 18-year reign of dominance come to an end with Eureka beating out Colby for the top spot, 113-95.

Joining Bachman qualifying for state were freshman Tristan Rathbone and senior Lane Flaming.

“We are very proud of the efforts of these three guys at Hays and the way they competed at the state level,” O’Hare said. “Both Tristan and Lane had very tough draws in the first round as we expected they would as third- and fourth-place regional finishers.”

Flaming opted not to go out his junior year, but just being able to extend his career qualifying was what he was after.

The senior closed out his respectable career going 0-2.

Rathbone’s likely to build off his freshman season for next year, despite going 0-2.

“Being their first times competing at the state meet, some nerves may have played a role,” O’Hare said. “However, they both competed hard.”

Bachman knew what to expect this year and he was ready, rolling over his first round opponent to set up a quarterfinal rematch with Minneapolis’ eventual runner-up, Tristan Hauck.

Bachman’s luck since the season-opening dual against the Lions and Hauck hadn’t changed, making Saturday a win or go home for Bachman.

He kept the ride going, reeling off three straight wins to storm into the consolation final against Smith Center’s Jaden Atwood, even with a sprained ankle.

Bachman’s incredible run ended in 29 seconds with Atwood pinning him.

“Although his season finished with a loss in that match, Jordan had a great season and an outstanding state tournament run,” said O’Hare. “He made huge strides this weekend, not just as a wrestler, but in his development of becoming a young man.

“He had to battle through injury, doubt, and various levels of adversity. I am very proud of how he responded.”

Bachman wrapped up his sophomore season at 34-10, breaking Bina’s takedown record of 80 with 82.