The Wisconsin wrestling team has taken a major hit as star wrestler Dean Hamiti has announced his transfer portal entry.
Hamiti, a former two-time All-American for the Badgers at 165 pounds, will entry the transfer portal with one year of eligibility left, per Flo Wrestling. Hamiti has been the heart and soul of the Badgers team the past three seasons, along with 125 pound wrestler Eric Barnett. Wisconsin wrestling will now have to move forward with some of their best wrestlers following graduation and the transfer portal.
Wisconsin Wrestling Star Dean Hamiti Enters Transfer Portal After Failing to Make All-American Team
Whether it was the coaching or personal issues off the mat, something seemed off this season for Wisconsin wrestling and star Dean Hamiti. Over the course of the last two seasons Hamiti has emerged as one of the best 165 pound wrestlers in the country. However, this season the former two-time All-American failed to make his way onto the list.
Hamiti finished this past season with an impressive 26-2 record, including a second-place finish during the Big Ten Conference Tournament. Hamiti entered the NCAA Tournament as a fifth-seed, but did not finish in the top-three of the tournament.
The star Wisconsin wrestler will now enter the transfer portal after finishing his third season with the Badgers.
Wisconsin Wrestling Put Into Awkward Position Between Portal Entries, Graduates
With Hamiti announces his intentions of leaving the program, Wisconsin wrestling is put into an awkward situation heading into next season. The Badgers will run out a fairly young, inexperienced squad next season barring any additions in the transfer portal.
Along with Hamiti, leader and fellow star wrestler Eric Barnett will graduate from Wisconsin this off-season. With the Badgers losing not only their two best wrestlers, but also their two biggest leaders, next season could be quite interesting for Wisconsin.
Can the Wisconsin Wrestling Staff Overcome the Major Changes this Off-Season?
With the amount of changes going on in Madison, the Wisconsin wrestling team will surely have a different look next season. The real question is what the staff plans on doing at this time, as Head Coach Chris Bono is a tough recruiter and has been known to get the best out of his wrestlers. Bono and his staff have a lot of work ahead of them, but they are surely the best suited for the job.
Coach Bono has long been about effort, hustle, and dedication, which is what he intends on bringing to the Wisconsin wrestling program next season.
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