GREAT SHOWING AT NEW TOURNEY – Cole Lenort, a first place winner last weekend at Maple River, shows a burst of speed in his escape in the second round. Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak
By TROY THOMPSON
Contributing Writer
The NRHEG wrestling team turned in another strong performance on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the first Gopher-Valley Tournament in Mapleton. The Panthers grappled their way to a second-place team finish in the inaugural event which featured all 10 teams from the Gopher and Valley Conferences.
NRHEG bested all of their Gopher Conference foes and finished behind only Valley Conference power Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Area (LCWMA) in the team standings.
The Panthers had 12 wrestlers place in the the top six of the tournament, including four finalists and two overall champions. Cole Lenort (113) and Dillon Kubiatowicz (120) each earned a trip to the top of the podium in their weight classes.“This tournament was the first combining the Gopher and Valley Conferences, and I feel it was a success,” said NRHEG coach Shawn Larson. “There were several high quality matches and the intensity level was a little more intense due to the fact we were often facing conference, and section, opponents.”
Lenort outlasted Medford’s Willie Von Ruden 3-0 to earn the crown at 113, while Kubiatowicz dispensed LCWMA’s Chris Ettesvold to earn to honors at 120.
NRHEG’s Cordell Peterson lost a close 3-1 bout against LCWMA’s Brandon Laborde to finish second at 126. Todd Erickson also took home a second place finish for the Panthers at 220 after LCWMA’s Shane Nelson wrestled to a 3-2 win in the championship match.
“Sometimes in wrestling it is very difficult to face the same teams multiple times in a season prior to the post-season, said Larson. “Even though that is usually a true statement, I feel as if our boys were up for the challenge this weekend. Being able to come in second without a full lineup is a respectable result. Dillon Kubiatowicz continues to be a strong leader this season acquiring his third tournament championship of the season.”
The full list of Panther place winners are:
1st Place: Cole Lenort (113), and Dillon Kubiatowicz (120)
2nd Place: Cordell Peterson (126), and Todd Erickson (220)
3rd Place: Nick Bartness (170), Keith Maxon (182), and Matt Jensen (195)
4th Place: Cole Staloch (132), Alex Merritt (138)
5th Place: Trey Hoppe (160)
6th Place: Palmer Peterson (145), Jet Wayne (152)
“Even though tournaments like this are a good measuring stick for our individuals, the remainder of our season is going to be a focus on team results,” said Larson. “We will not wrestle in another individual tournament this season until the Section 2A tournament. Our coaches and athletes are ready to compete in some dual meet competitions.”
The Panthers will next travel to Kerkoven on Friday, Jan.16, for a six-team dual meet tournament. The following week has a conference dual with WEM/JWP, and another team tournament in Forest Lake.
Gopher-Valley Tournament Team Results
1. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Area 224.5
2. New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 161.0
3. Fairmont/Martin County West 128.0
4. WEM/JWP 123.5
5. Medford 117.0
6. Maple River 109.0
7. United South Central 67.0
8. St. Clair/Mankato Loyola 57.0
9. Blooming Prairie 26.0
10. Madelia/Truman/Martin Luther 19.0