Last Updated: Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:26 AM CST
Tomahawk’s Hagar chooses South Dakota State
Three-time state champion will wrestle at Division I school
By Greg Bates
DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR
After winning three state wrestling titles, Tomahawk’s Nick Hagar had colleges lining up and wanting him to attend their school.
Hagar –– a senior who just began his final year of high school wrestling –– considered committing to top Division I colleges Northwestern, Penn State, Missouri, Central Michigan and Michigan State. However, every one of those programs didn’t offer Hagar a scholarship.
Along came former Division II powerhouse South Dakota State University (SDSU), which just this year earned Division I status, and offered Hagar a full-ride, four-year scholarship.
After a trip to the Brookings, S.D. campus on Nov. 2, Hagar decided this past Monday night that being a Jackrabbit was his next move.
“After talking to a lot of colleges and unofficially visiting like Northern Illinois and a couple other colleges, I kind of came to the realization that if you’re going to go to a really nice D-I school, say Northwestern, they just can’t give you a full ride,” Hagar said. “They’ve got 30 kids on their team with nine scholarships to hand out. To get a full ride is practically unheard of in the sport of wrestling in college. … When I got the full ride offer it automatically made me think, ‘Alright, this is probably the place I want to go.’”
In addition to a good wrestling program, Hagar sought a college with a pre-medicine or pre-dental program and a strong science department –– SDSU offered both. He also looked for a school where he could fit in nicely.
“I wanted to feel comfortable, and I felt great at South Dakota State,” Hagar said.
Tomahawk co-head coach Bob Skubal believes that Hagar will be a great fit in the SDSU wrestling program.
“He’s an untapped resource right now even though he’s a three-time state champ,” Skubal said. “They’re going to want him to commit to year-round wrestling. With him concentrating on wrestling, they’ll be able get what they’re looking for.”
Skubal and co-head coach Bob Garrou have coached together for 20 years and Hagar is the first Division I scholar athlete they have ever produced.
Hagar, who along with going to the state wrestling tournament three times, is a four-time entrant at state in both cross country and track and field, noted Skubal.
Hagar has a career record of 149-5 and won the Division 2 state title last season at 140. As a sophomore, Hagar took the 135-pound title and he was state champion at 125 his freshman year.
Choosing a college was a tough decision for Hagar because it was such a big decision in his life, but he’s happy it’s out of the way. Now he can concentration 100 percent on the season ahead.
“I’m not worried at all now about the season,” Hagar said. “I’m so relaxed now. … It takes a lot of pressure off.”
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Congrats wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:55 PM: