Chenango County's six wrestlers are not the only ones who qualified for the state tournament today and tomorrow at the Times Union Arena in Albany. Two local residents, working as referees, earned coveted spots among the best officials in the state's biggest wrestling tournament.
Bob Hagenbuch of Norwich will make his third appearance in the state tournament, and Dale Persons of New Berlin earned his fourth trip.
We spoke to Hagenbuch earlier this week, who in addition to his officiating, coaches wrestling for Norwich on the junior high level, and also works a full-time job. "This is definitely a busy time of the year for me," Hagenbuch said.
Hagenbuch graduated from Norwich High School, and stayed involved in wrestling helping out retired Norwich wrestling coach Don Kovalchik. Seeing Hagenbuch's potential, Kovalchik made a suggestion to Hagenbuch.
"He told me I should get into officiating," Hagenbuch said. "He saw my potential. I knew wrestling, but I didn't know a thing about officiating."
Hagenbuch followed up with the Southern Tier Wrestling Officials Association rep, Carl Koenig, attending officials' meetings, and he became a wrestling official 20 years ago.
Like many rookies, Hagenbuch had some rough patches, particularly in dealing with coaches who questioned his calls. Hagenbuch learned how to deal with those difficulties, and his confidence and acumen improved. In 2012 and 2013, Hagenbuch earned a spot as an official in the state tournament, and was nominated – and accepted – again as an official from the STWOA chapter this year.
Hagenbuch said that officials are rated during the season, and based on those ratings from coaches, are nominated by their peers in their local officiating chapter. Those who meet the cut-off, are submitted as potential officials to the state tournament organization, who then select three officials to serve at the state tournament.
"There are 26 officials throughout the state who will referee the D-1 and D-2 tournaments," Hagenbuch said.
Close to 500 wrestlers will compete in the state tournament this weekend. By comparison, just two-dozen-plus officials (out of 600 certified in the state) will oversee the hundreds of scheduled matches. So to be among those select officials puts one in rarified air.
"There's definitely more pressure (officiating) at the state tournament because placing at states is very important for kids," Hagenbuch said, who added that college coaches are abound scouting potential recruits. "The pressure is before you step on the mat. Once the whistle blows, I'm in the zone watching wrestling and awarding points."
Hagenbuch is still a young man with a lot of years left to officiate. After 20 years in the game, he hasn't set a specific timetable to step away from officiating. "I don't think I want to do it when I'm in my 60s," Hagenbuch said. "But I'll do it as long as I enjoy it and as long as I'm healthy. I'm still having fun, so there is no reason to stop."