PHILADELPHIA, PA • Dean Hamiti, after two All-American finishes as a freshman and a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, sixth both times, and a Blood Round loss and exit last season as a junior, he decided to transfer, and he chose Oklahoma State University where new head coach David Taylor was looking to put together something special. Hamiti, along with a few transfers and a solid core of wrestlers already in place, have now done just that.
Throughout his tournament, Hamiti had been impressive. He opened his tournament as the three seed with a technical fall, a 15-3 major decision, an 8-6 decision in the quarterfinals, and in the semifinals, he downed Penn State’s Levi Haines, the two seed, 4-2. In this, Hamiti had shown what many already knew: he was talented, could score points from all positions, and he could win the close matches. But now, for his title bout, he would have to be able to string it all together and be nearly perfect if he was going to take down two-time defending national champion and currently undefeated Keegan O’Toole of Missouri.
Hamiti, who was 26-1, headed into the finals, with his only loss coming in the Big 12 finals to O’Toole in overtime.
When Hamiti took to the mat, he was in his all-orange Oklahoma State singlet with a cursive Cowboys printed across the front.
O’Toole and Hamiti would hand fight with some distance to open the match, and as Hamiti shot in and came back out, O’Toole went to a reattack and found Hamiti’s right leg. Hamiti would hit the corner—being longer and very flexible—but O’Toole came to his feet with Hamiti’s leg and was looking to finish.
Hamiti, who appeared extremely comfortable hopping around on one foot, was calm and cool and confident in his defense. The shorter O’Toole, who had the leg, appeared to be searching for a finish. When he could not return Hamiti with his head on the inside or a trip or through elevation, he switched the leg to the outside. But neither his wits nor his physical efforts to trip or close the gap for a finish on Hamiti was successful. As for Hamiti, who was on one leg for fifty-three seconds, he was able to maintain his poise and bring his leg down and clear the position.
The remainder of the period would be a good deal of hand fighting and level changes and each man moving in and out looking for an opening.
In the second period, Hamiti would receive the choice, and he would choose down. Off the whistle, O’Toole would work to his spiral ride, but Hamiti be out within eight seconds of the ride and take a 1-0 lead.
Once on their feet, Hamiti looked for a right-handed ankle pick, but O’Toole stepped out of it and circled and the two continued their hand fight and motion as O’Toole remained centered and Hamiti danced in and out of the smaller circle looking for his attack.
The second period would end, and O’Toole would choose down in the third and come to his almost immediately as the referee blew his whistle. Hamiti, who is a formidable force on top, did look for a return, but as the Cowboy brough the Tiger down, O’Toole was looking for a switch. Hamiti, who could feel the danger, let go of the ride and came to his feet—the match was now tied, 1-1.
As the match wore on, O’Toole would find his way into a shot, but the position would be stalemated. Once back on their feet, the position battle continued—Hamiti looked to score from space, and O’Toole looked to close the gap and find his way into a strong position.
And, as Hamiti worked in and out, he saw an opening and took a shot in on O’Toole. From this initiated shot by Hamiti, O’Toole would reattack, pushing Hamiti into a scramble where the back and forth and exchanges of looked like a possible score at one point for either man, ended with Hamiti in on O’Toole’s left leg, elevated it, and was awarded a three-point takedown.
Immediately, O’Toole looked to his corner to throw the brick. And, just like that, a challenge brick from Missouri’s corner and, after review, the call was reversed claiming motion was still continuous and Hamiti never secured any control.
Back on their feet, Hamiti appeared to have his confidence flowing. In that, Hamiti would attempt a sweep single to O’Toole’s right leg, but he defended well and regulation ended with a 1-1 tie.
In sudden victory, as O’Toole tied on Hamiti’s left side, Hamiti used an over-tie position and popped and fired in on a low single leg. O’Toole reversed the fortune and scrambled, but Hamiti matched the scramble and re-fortuned himself—but now, each wrestler was in a far ankle scramble with the other’s foot, and it was all about whose chest could get higher first.
And as the scramble continued and Hamiti was able to find a corner, he hooked O’Toole’s leg and scored a takedown for 4-1 win.
But before anything could be confirmed, Missouri again threw in their challenge brick, but this time the call was confirmed. Hamiti would score the takedown and earn his first national championship.
After shaking hands, Hamiti and O’Toole had a brief and respectful hug, and with a big smile, Hamiti would have his hand raised. He would lower it and give a big flex to the crowd. He would then run to his corner and hugs and congratulations were given all around, before he went down on the floor to be with his family.
When asked about that final scramble sequence, Hamiti smiled.
“It was kind of just instinct,” Hamit said, “I didn’t really think about anything in there. I go in those positions every day in practice with Coach Dave or Coach Caldwell, so it was all instinct from me. I was sure [I had the takedown]. I had full cross face; I was behind him and had the ankle hooked. I had control and I was confident I got it, but I was prepared to go another period or so.”
After his transfer, Hamiti was asked what had changed for the now three-time All-American and national champion going from Wisconsin to Oklahoma State.
“I think it is mindset,” Hamiti thoughtfully replied. “We’re prepared for anything and ready to go and score points when we have to. The small things lead to big moments, and this was a big moment.
“The reason why I went to Oklahoma State is I know that they like to win national championships, and they are a storied program—and I’m honored to be a part of it. I’m grateful for all my teammates and coaches and really just honored to be part of this great program.”
As for his career, Hamiti was proud and grateful.
“I think it is just a testament to my hard work,” Hamiti stated. “I’ve lived the right lifestyle and I’ve put in the countless minutes in practice and competitions and I’m grateful for my career and I wouldn’t change a single thing. I think it’s going to take me a little bit with the adrenaline still pumping in my veins. I really enjoyed this tournament and enjoyed the year, and I’m nothing but grateful.”
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• TC LIFONTI / LEAD WRITER FOR ILLINOIS MATMEN / tclifonti.com
