De Pere’s Hooyman soars to state
Charlie Hooyman hit a rough patch early in the season.
The De Pere senior received some advice from his dad on how to get back on a winning track.
It was pretty simple – lose the mustache.
“That was the joke that was going around,” Hooyman said. “My dad told me to shave it because I lost a couple matches earlier in the season. He’s like, ‘You have to shave that thing because it’s slowing you down.’”
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Hooyman soared in capturing the 195-pound title on Saturday at the WIAA Division 1 sectional at Appleton North to qualify for state for the first time.
“He’s put a lot of work in,” De Pere wrestling coach Matt Kincade said. “He had to fight some demons from last year. Some of that stuff started to creep in a little bit in that last match, but mentally he had to overcome some things and he did. He’s done a great job. He’s been a leader for us all year.”
Hooyman (42-3) is ranked No. 5 in D1 by Wisconsin Wrestling Online and will face Beloit Memorial junior Tyler Sireci (34-4) in his opening state match Thursday at the Kohl Center.
The De Pere senior felt he could have made the trip to Madison last year as well, but a nagging back injury was tough to overcome.
“I finally made it,” said Hooyman, who ranks first in school history for pins. “I felt like I should have made it last year, but I let everyone down last year. It’s nice to make up for it this year.”
Hooyman has earned bragging rights for becoming the first member of his family to qualify for his state. His dad, Tim, and older brother, Andy, both wrestled for De Pere.
Hooyman is one of two state qualifiers for the Redbirds. Freshman Shane Corrigan qualified at 106 pounds, giving the program multiple state qualifiers for the first time since 2013.
After watching Max Bruss advance to the 145-pound state championship match last year, Hooyman is hoping to make a similar run at the Kohl Center.
“I think he’s as healthy at this point right now that he has been the entire year,” Kincade said.
“He’s been wrestling a long time for us. It’s good to see him finally get to cap this thing off. He’s not done yet, though.”
