Warsaw sophomore Kyle Hatch will make his second appearance at the State Finals in Indianapolis Friday night (Photos provided by Scott Gareiss)

WARSAW – Kyle Hatch isn’t ready quite yet to assess his sophomore season on the mat.

The Warsaw wrestler still has business to attend to first.

Hatch will make his second appearance in the State Finals Friday night. The 120-pounder is firmly focused on the first task in front of him.

“First of all. to win on Friday is what I’m focused on right now,” said Hatch after practice Wednesday. “That is the first thing. Then I just want to go out and do my best on Saturday.”

Hatch will take a 42-2 mark into his first round matchup Friday night. He will face Plainfield junior Isaac Gomez at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.  Gomez is 25-2 on the season.

“I feel really good about how I’m wrestling right now,” Hatch said. “I’m pretty content with my season, but it’s not over yet.”

Hatch earned his trip to Indy with a third-place finish in the Merrillville Semistate last Saturday. He got there by claiming a sectional title at Plymouth followed by a regional championship at Rochester.

Warsaw coach Justin Smith likes the attitude of his hard-working standout.

“I like Kyle’s mentality that the season is not over yet,” remarked Smith. “He’s done a lot this year, but I like that he is ready for the final challenge.”

Hatch earned an eighth-place finish at 106 pounds as a freshman. That earned him a spot alongside his father Dan, now a Warsaw assistant coach, in program history. Dan Hatch placed eighth at the State Finals in 1992 at 140 pounds.

“I’ve been there before and have heard the sounds, so I should be fine,” said Hatch of his return trip to State.

Smith also says it’s all about taking care of business on Friday night first.

“You have to get that first one Friday night and that’s goal number one,” Smith said. “You can’t look past anyone. Everyone down there belongs there.”

Smith is very confident in what Hatch can do.

“Kyle is wrestling well and I’m supremely condfident in him,” stated Smith. “I’m 10 times more confident in him this year than last. He’s improved his skills greatly from last year and he’s been there at State.”

I would like to see him win at least his first match on Saturday, but I know he is capable of more than that. Once you do get to Saturrday, anything can happen. It just comes down to the way Kyle is wrestling. That’s the only thing we worry about.”

Smith also gives a lot of credit to the elder Hatch for the success of his son.

“Dan is the best guy who is tuned in to Kyle,” said Smith. “Dan is a student of wrestling and has just done a great job with him.”

Kyle admits that he does have some lofty goals.

“I want to place higher than I did last year,” said Hatch. “It’s also very important to me down the road to make it to State all four years. That’s one of my goals too.”

Actions begins with first-round matches starting at 6 p.m. Friday. Quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 a.m., followed by consolations at 5 p.m. and finals at 7:30 p.m.

Kyle Hatch celebrates during one of his postseason wins.