PIN TO WIN — The Panthers’ Nathan Krohn tries to put WEM/JWP’s Mitch Wolter on his back during the 152-pound match at New Richland last Thursday. Krohn won by fall and the Panthers won the dual meet 42-27 to tie for the conference title. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Conference champions.

Back in December, it was one of the goals for the NRHEG wrestling team.

As the season unfolded, however, it looked like a big hill to climb.

The Panthers reached the top of it last Thursday, defeating WEM/JWP 42-27 to capture a tie for the Gopher Conference crown.

“I was very happy with our guys,” said NRHEG coach Paul Cyr. “We have struggled with injuries all season long. The guys had a chance to tie for the conference title and they wrestled very well.”

A key, according to Cyr, was getting through the Grizzlies’ tough wrestlers in the lower weights. But, after falling behind 15-0, the Panthers reeled off six straight wins: Dustin Esplan, fall, 126 pounds; Tyler Logan, 10-5, 132; Jacob Staloch, 9-4, 138; David Lassahn, fall, 145; Nathan Krohn, fall, 152; and Dillon Parpart, 6-3, 160.

That put the Panthers up 27-15.

After a forfeit to the Grizzlies at 170, NRHEG’s Matt Dahle won 5-2 at 182, Seth Petranek got a 43-second fall at 195 and Geoff Ramaker pinned his opponent in 55 seconds at 220 to ice it.

“I felt that it was a really good team effort by all of our guys,” said Cyr. “Ramaker got a chance to finish off the night with a pin at 220. When we move him up like we did, he is giving up 30 pounds in most cases.”

The Panthers finished 3-1 in the conference, in a three-way tie for first with WEM/JWP and USC. They’re 15-5 overall.

“I would expect we would be the No. 4 seed when section seedings are released,” said Cyr.

That means the Panthers would wrestle at noon Saturday at Maple River High School in Mapleton.