Warsaw’s Kyle Hatch gets some coaching during a break at the State Finals on Saturday. He placed seventh at 120 pounds (Photos provided by Scott Gareiss)

INDIANAPOLIS – Warsaw wrestler Kyle Hatch climbed a little higher on the State Finals podium this time around.

Hatch earned a seventh-place finish on Saturday at the season finale at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Tiger sophomore, was placed eighth a year ago, went 1-2 on Saturday to conclude another stellar season.

“Anytime that you can end your season here on Saturday it’s a good thing,” said Warsaw coach Justin Smith in a phone interview Saturday night. “I know that Kyle wanted to place higher than seventh, but he climbed the ladder here. Finishing seventh in the state is definitely not too shabby that’s for sure.”

Kyle Hatch reached the podium for the second straight year.

Hatch, who won his first-round match Friday night, ran into a man on a mission in his quarterfinal match Saturday morning at 120 pounds. South Adams senior Sawyer Miller topped Hatch 11-4 to remain undefeated on the season. Miller beat Hatch 4-3 back in January at a tournament.

Miller ended his prep career as state runner-up. He lost to undefeated Danville junior Brock Hudkins in the title match at 120 Saturday night.

“Sawyer just wrestled a great technical match and Kyle struggled to get his offense going,”  Smith said. “Miller was an undefeated senior on a mission today. That’s the kind of mission that we want Kyle on as he moves forward from here.”

Hatch then lost a 10-2 final to Evansville Reitz senior Tyler Ferguson in the consolation round. He responded though to beat Carroll senior Ben Kauffman 11-6 to claim his seventh-place finish.

“I was impressed with how Kyle came back in his final match,” remarked Smith. “He was down early to the Carroll kid.”

Kyle Hatch is awarded his win Saturday.

Hatch finishes his sophomore  season with an outstanding mark of 44-4. He won sectional and regional championships en route to his State Finals appearance.

“Kyle had some illness and injury late in the season, but he had another outstanding season,” noted Smith.  “Now he will take a little time off and then get back to work. I have no doubt that he will come back even more hungry next year.”

Penn had a pair of individual state champions and claimed the program’s first-ever team state title Saturday. The Kingsmen scored 79 points to top runner-up and defending state champion Cathedral, which finished with 73 points.

The duo of Chase Osborn and Kobe Woods each finished off undefeated seasons to lead Penn. Osborn won the state title at 182 and finished 39-0, while Woods earned the 220 title and went 44-0 this year. Osborn also received the Mental Attitude Award.

Mishawaka senior Tommy Forte won his second state championship Saturday night, claiming the 152-pound title.

New Palestine junior Chad Reed continued his unbeaten prep career with his third straight state title. Reed, who won at 126, is now 139-0.

Kyle Hatch wrapped up a stellar sophomore season at the State Finals on Saturday in Indianapolis.