Hoesing, Hochstein finish up season at State

OMAHA — Cedar Catholic’s two State Tournament wrestlers gained a lot of experience over the weekend, but no new hardware.

Eric Hoesing made his second straight trip to State, while Conner Hochstein was making his debut on the mats at the CHI Health Center.

Unfortunately, neither of them were able to make it into the medal rounds and came home empty handed, but not before making their marks on the sport for the school.

Hoesing ended his career with a school-record 123 wins and a 43-7 record this season. He ended up 2-2 at state, losing in the “Heartbreak round” to miss out on a coveted state medal.

“It still hurts to know that I’ll never step on the mat again as a Tro-cat,” Hoesing said. “And not earning the medal that I’ve been dreaming about ever since a kid is tough to swallow.”

Hoesing’s tournament started out against Jesse Drahota of Ravenna.

Drahota and Hoesing battled evenly in the first period with neither wrestler able to gain the takedown.

Hoesing started on top in the second period, but Drahota earned the reversal halfway through the period. Drahota then put Hoesing on his back twice, earning near fall points both times. The period ended with Drahota up 10-0.

Hoesing scored a point for an escape in the third period, but Drahota again earned points for two near falls and for a takedown to earn the 18-1 technical fall.

“The state tournament is a mind game, 100 percent. The fact of competing in the state tournament can make anyone’s nerves go crazy. That was my No. 1 enemy down there,” he said.

The loss dropped Hoesing into the consolation round where he faced off against Rocco Gering of Twin River.

Hoesing earned takedowns in both the first and second period, but no other points were scored until the third period. Hoesing earned a reversal and a takedown before flipping the Twin River wrestler on his back for a near fall to earn a 10-2 major decision.

Hoesing took on Archbishop Bergan’s Koa McIntyre in his second consolation round match. Hoesing earned the first period takedown, but the match slowed down after that, as McIntyre was warned for stalling.

The action-packed second period resulted in both wrestlers getting a reversal. McIntyre also gained two penalty points to knot the score at 4-4 heading into the final frame.