Hazewinkel was defeated by Nebraska's Paul Donahoe by a 3-1 decision in the 125 pound national final at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
The match was scoreless through one period when neither wrestler could manage any offense. Hazewinkel choose down to start the second period. Thirty seconds into the period Hazewinkel managed an escape for the first points of the match.
The two went scoreless the rest of the period with Donahoe having the advantage to begin period three. Donahoe chose down to begin the period and escaped from Hazewinkel with a minute remaining in the match to tie the score at one.
The two Big 12 wrestlers went scoreless the remainder of the match and went into a one minute sudden victory period. Donahoe got inside Hazewinkel at the beginning of the period and scored a takedown for the victory.
"Tonight did not turn out the way I wanted it but it is one of those things that happens," Hazewinkel said.
The Pensacola, Fla. native garnered All-America honors for the fourth straight year this weekend at the championships. He won his three previous matches at this season's tournament by a combined score of 41-8. Hazewinkel beat Donahoe two weeks ago in the 125 pound final at the Big 12 Championships by a major decision of 11-3.
"I can't dwell on the mistakes that have happened in the past all I can do is focus on the future," Hazewinkel continued.
The senior won three Big 12 Championships (2004, 06, 07), was the 2007 national runner-up and was a three-time third place finisher (2004, 05, 06) at the NCAA's.
"We are disappointed and crushed for Sam because we wanted nothing else more than for him to leave a national champion," head coach Jack Spates said.
Hazewinkel was the lone Sooner All-American at this weekend's National Championships. The Sooners qualified six wrestlers for the 2007 NCAA Championships.
"Paul Donahoe wrestled a great match and we want to congratulate him. We are disappointed but we will always be proud of Sam," Spates continued.
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