By JIM LUTGENS

Sports Editor

Injury and illness.

If you're a high school wrestling coach, they're two words you don't want to hear.

The NRHEG Panthers dealt with both Thursday, Dec. 14 in a quadrangular at Lakeville South, where they lost 52-23 to South St. Paul, 52-19 to Eastview and 55-15 to the host team.

"We were shorthanded due to a combination of injury and illness," said Panthers coach Shawn Larson. "Competing against schools of that size is difficult to begin with, as usually they have more athletes to work with, and without three or four starters it was far too much to overcome."

George Roesler had a great night for NRHEG, going unbeaten while earning three falls at 189 pounds.

"George is wrestling well as of late, and we are very happy to have him this season after he missed all of last year due to injury," said Larson.

Charlie Tufte got the Panthers off to a strong start against South St. Paul, scoring a first-period fall at 107, but NRHEG dropped three pins and a forfeit before Deven Parpart won by technical fall at 139. The Panthers got pins from Reese Routh at 152 and Roesler at 189.

Victories against Eastview were by Parpart, 139; Routh, 152; Harbor Cromwell, 160; and Roesler, 189. Parpart won by fall.

Winning in the Lakeville South meet were by Seth Staloch, 127; Cromwell, 160; and Roesler, 189.

The Panthers have a triangular at Medford Thursday, Dec. 21, with matches at 5 and 7 p.m.

The Panthers traveled to Redwood Falls for the Redwood Riot Dec. 15-16, finishing 30th out of 36 teams. Roesler placed seventh at 189.

In the girls' division, the Panthers' Annabelle Petsinger finished first at 142, with Josie Bell taking third at 190.

"At Redwood, it was great to have both of the girls competing come back with hardware," said Larson. "Annabelle showed the dominance she had during last season, pinning her way through the bracket to win the championship. Josie is new to the team this season, however, she is learning well. Josie wrestled with great intensity, and it was clear that she was having fun getting two wins on her way to a third-place finish."

Larson also had praise for Roesler.

"George also wrestled well," said Larson. "He is really a good leader for this team right now. He is showing great poise, and demonstrating that hard work is the key to success."

The Panthers wrestle Thursday, December 21 with a triangular in Medford, with matches set for 5 and 7 p.m. Then they're off until hosting Westfield Jan. 12.