Current Chickasaws’ Coach Reflects on Passing of New Hampton’s First State Wrestling Champ

New Hampton’s first-ever state wrestling champion has died.

Paul Hassman, who won the 155-pound title in 1933, passed away Thursday at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab at the age of 108. He was the oldest living state wrestling champ in Iowa and the country at the time of his death.

Current Chickasaws Wrestling Coach Matt Paulus says he didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Hassman in his short time leading the program, but he received valuable advice.

Paulus adds that Hassman’s positive outlook also stuck with him and the program.

Paulus says Hassman serves as a reminder of the long tradition of New Hampton wrestling and perhaps they can use that to inspire a little more fire when Chickasaw wrestlers take the mat.