Younger sibling works as wrestling tapper

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 13, 2008

By Brie Cohen, AlbertLeaTribune.com

This year at the Minnesota High School State Wrestling Tournament there was a huge showing by the Hansen family, including brothers Cody and Cory Hansen and their cousin Logan. They were all in the spotlight that week, but there was one Hansen wrestler who slipped under the radar.

Lucas, the younger brother of Cody and Cory, was at the tournament as a tapper. Identifiable in a red tournament T-shirt, he helped the referees on the mat by tapping them on the back to let them know when time was running out and was over in the match.

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Lucas said this was his third or fourth time tapping at the state tournament, following in the footsteps of his brothers that were tappers when they were young.

The tapping began much like the Hansen brothers&8217; wrestling, by their dad, Jon. Jon said he had worked the weigh-ins at the tournament for many years and he helped out by bringing tappers from the Albert Lea area to the state tournament.

Lucas said he brought a few friends and had tons of fun, not only because he was able to watch the matches from an excellent view with his buddies but also because he got free food.

Lucas said he wasn&8217;t tapping all the time, though, because he always made sure to be in the stands to cheer on his brothers and concentrate on their matches.

While at the tournament eating in the press area, a few people would pick him out of all the young tappers and ask him the questions that Lucas said he gets quite frequently.

Are you any good at wrestling? What do you weigh? Can you beat your brothers?

Lucas is a true Hansen wrestler. He has won quite a few championships at the state youth wrestling association&8217;s tournaments for his age group. Lucas said he has even heard people on his opponent&8217;s side saying to watch out for Lucas Hansen when they see him in their bracket.

But Lucas said he hardly feels any pressure in representing the Hansen name. He does recognize that people expect him to be a good wrestler like his brothers, but the youngest Hansen said he sees it as an advantage. He has so many great teachers to show him wrestling moves, he said.

Lucas&8217; mom Vicki said her youngest can really handle the pressure because he is easygoing and doesn&8217;t get worked up.

This seventh-grader said he plans to wrestle for the Albert Lea Tigers when he gets to high school and wrestle at one of the lower weight classes, like Cody and Cory are wrestling at.

And no, Lucas cannot beat his brothers.

&8220;Not yet,&8221; Vicki said, &8220;Give him a couple years.&8221;

In a couple years Lucas is sure to be out from under that radar and in the spotlight, not only for wrestling but possibly for one of his many other sports he enjoys playing.

Lucas said he plays pretty much every sports, including baseball, football, tennis, golf and basketball. This past Saturday he planned on playing three of those sports in one day, one right after the other.

Not only does he enjoy being active, but he works hard with his studies at Southwest Middle School. He has been on the &8220;A&8221; honor roll many times, although he admits &8220;sometimes I get A minuses.&8221;

Age: 13

Address: Albert Lea

Livelihood: student

Family: brothers Josh, 22, Zach 21, Beau 19, Cody 17 and Cory 15; parents Vicki and Jon

Interesting fact:

His favorite sport is football.