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BACK TO STATE — NRHEG senior Seth Petranek, right, earns a victory Saturday at Blue Earth and a second straight trip to the state tournament. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)


By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

NRHEG coach Paul Cyr had high hopes for two and mixed hopes for several others entering the Section 2A Individual Wrestling Tournament.

The two came through.

Seniors Dustin Esplan and Seth Petranek advanced to the state tournament while four others just missed in last weekend’s section tournament that concluded Saturday night at Blue Earth.

Esplan was most impressive in taking the 120-pound championship, winning by fall and, in the finals, by technical fall. He’ll take a record of 36-4 to state, where he finished third last year at 119.

Petranek was the runner-up at 182, falling 10-6 to USC’s Brady Thisius in the finals. Petranek, like Esplan a two-time state entrant, is 33-7. He was 2-2 at state last year and did not place at 189.

The Panthers had two wrestlers fall in a true second-place match, senior Jacob Staloch at 138 and Dillon Parpart at 160. Staloch finished 26-17. Parpart, a sophomore, was 22-13. Also placing third for NRHEG were senior David Lassahn, 145 (34-8) and sophomore Nate Krohn, 152 (25-13).

“It was unfortunate that three of our returning state entrants could not make the return trip as seniors,” said Cyr. “Lassahn, a two-time state entrant, finished third, Staloch finished third, and Brandon LeBlanc could not compete due to injury.”

Placing fourth were freshman Dillon Kubiatowicz, 106 (15-22); senior Jade Waltz, 113 (23-19) and sophomore Tyler Logan, 132 (26-16). Senior Matt Dahle (20-10) was fifth at 171.

“After a disastrous Friday round, we wrestled very well on Saturday, and even though we only qualified two guys for the state tournament, I am very proud of the way we came back,” said Cyr. “Esplan was the class of the 120-pound weight class. Staloch came back from a first-round losing, winning four in a row before falling in the true second match. Parpart had a good tournament. Petranek lost to Thisius for the second time this season.”

Cyr said the Panthers have some tough draws as they take the mat Friday at 11 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Esplan has the top three 120-pounders in the state in his bracket — including two prior state champions — and will face Jesus Romero of Pelican Rapids (30-5) in the opening round. Petranek is match with James Nelson of ACGC (40-2) in the first round.

Still, Cyr has high hopes.

“It should be fun,” said the coach.