Our community witnessed history Thursday night as Lower Cape May senior Chase Hansen became New Jersey's all-time high school wrestling wins leader, breaking a record that stood for over a decade.
Competing at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City during the NJSIAA State Championships, Hansen secured his 176th career victory with a hard-fought 4-2 decision over Pingry's Jack Abramson in the 138-pound pre-quarterfinal round. The win moved him past former Bound Brook standout Andrew Campolattano, whose record had stood since his graduation in 2011.
Yet even as Hansen stood alone atop the state's all-time wins list, his thoughts remained fixed on unfinished business.
"I kind of wasn't thinking about it," Hansen told nj.com after the match. "I'm here in Boardwalk Hall, and I just want to be on top of the podium. It wasn't really a thought during my match, but now it feels pretty good. I have the most wins, and I don't have a state title yet. I really only have that one goal in mind, and the wins will come along with the title."
Four Years of Excellence
Hansen's record-setting achievement represents the culmination of four seasons of remarkable consistency for the Cape May County program. The senior has captured four district titles and four region championships while establishing himself as one of the most dependable wrestlers our state has ever produced.
Currently ranked 19th nationally at 138 pounds, Hansen entered this year's state tournament as a three-time state medalist. He finished seventh as a freshman, third as a sophomore, and fourth last season. Despite those podium appearances, the state championship has remained tantalizingly out of reach.
His relentless schedule, durability, and ability to consistently advance deep into tournaments allowed him to surpass Campolattano's mark. The previous record holder won four state championships during his Bound Brook career before continuing at Ohio State, making Hansen's achievement all the more impressive.
A Victory That Showed Grit
The record-breaking match itself showcased the determination that has defined Hansen's career. Abramson pushed the bout into tense territory late in the third period, reversing Hansen with just over a minute remaining to take a 2-1 lead and briefly seize control.
The momentum shifted when Abramson was called for locked hands, tying the match and giving Hansen new life. With the clock winding down, Hansen capitalized, scoring a reversal with 28 seconds left before riding out the final seconds to secure the 4-2 victory and the historic milestone.
The Road Ahead
Despite his record, Hansen's path to that elusive state title remains challenging. He advanced to face Caldwell's Solomon Soriente in the quarterfinals, a round that has proven difficult throughout his career. Hansen entered the matchup with an 0-3 record in quarterfinal bouts at the state tournament.
Earlier this season, Hansen defeated Soriente 4-0, but postseason matchups inside Boardwalk Hall carry different intensity and pressure.
The Rider University commit has already secured his place in New Jersey wrestling history with the wins record. Now, he has the opportunity to cap his remarkable high school career with the one achievement that has eluded him. For Hansen and our South Jersey wrestling community, the journey continues—one match at a time, with history already made and more potentially still to come.
