Panthers fall 41-34 to JCC in finals
RUNNERS-UP — The 2014-15 NRHEG wrestling team finished the dual-meet season with a 16-9 record, second in Section 2A and one win away from state. Front from left: statistician Makenzi Rhoades, statistician Jade Hill, Brett Kubiatowicz, Cole Lenort, Dillon Kubiatowicz, Cordell Peterson, Cole Staloch, Alex Merritt, Ross Lenort, statistician Nikita Peterson. Middle: Nate Jensen, Zeke Erickson, Palmer Peterson, Trai Wicks, Trey Hoppe, Karter Sletten, Jet Wayne, Bryce Okland, Ethan Strenge, Shawn Larson. Back: Josh Dalbec, Keith Maxon, Matt Jensen, Jon Weller, Todd Erickson, Wyatt Fitterer, Nick Bartness, Jamie Harshman, Tim Bartness. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
According to NRHEG wrestling coach Shawn Larson, it is the goal of every team to compete at your best at tournament time.
That’s exactly what the Panthers did.
NRHEG rolled past Hayfield Thursday in the opening round of the Section 2A team tournament and, after avenging an earlier loss to Blue Earth Area in the semifinals, gave powerhouse Jackson County Central a battle before falling 41-34 in the finals Saturday at Wells. The Panthers, seeded third in the section, finish their dual-meet season with a record of 16-9. Top-seeded JCC will take a 21-7 mark to state.
The Panthers’ season is not finished, however. They’ll travel to Blue Earth this Saturday for the individual section tournament. The top two finishers at each weight advance to state Feb. 26-28.
The Panthers opened Section 2A action Thursday, Feb. 12 at home against Hayfield, posting a 66-12 victory.
Cole Staloch won by fall for the Panthers at 130 pounds, as did Palmer Peterson at 145. Todd Erickson claimed a 3-1 decision at 285. Cole Lenort, Ross Lenort, Jet Wayne, Karter Sletten, Nick Bartness, Keith Maxon, Matt Jensen and Jon Weller won by forfeit.“In the matches we wrestled, we wrestled well,” said Larson. “I was excited to see a few of the matchups from the first time, and it is unfortunate that Hayfield has injuries. We are looking forward to wrestling a rematch against Blue Earth. Our guys have been looking for a chance to compete against them again. We had fun the first time in a close dual, but obviously it would be fun if we could find a way to get past them this time.”
That’s what happened as the Panthers wrestled their way to a 39-27 victory over the second-seeded Bucs. After falling behind 9-3, the Panthers got consecutive pins from Dillon Kubiatowicz at 120 and Cordell Peterson at 126, followed by decisions from Staloch and Alex Merritt at 132 and 138. The Bucs claimed decisions at 145 and 152, but NRHEG got falls from Trey Hoppe at 160, Bartness at 170 and Maxon at 182. Todd Erickson took a 5-2 decision at 220 to ice the win.
“Beating Blue Earth was a feather in our cap, as earlier in the season they beat us,” said Larson. “We took it to them winning two matches we had lost last time, getting more bonus points than last time, and not giving as many bonus points. Our performance all around was better.”
The win put the Panthers in the finals, where they almost pulled off the upset.
“Jackson proved to be very good again,” said Larson. “We had a game plan for JCC and we executed as close to perfect as we could. The areas where we were slightly off of our plan is where they edged us by seven points.”
Winning for the Panthers were Kubiatowicz, Cordell Peterson, Palmer Peterson, Maxon, Jensen and Erickson. Maxon and Erickson won by fall.
“Going into this match, everyone outside of our team expected it to be a blowout, though we knew we could compete,” said Larson. “Meeting JCC this time we were ready to compete for our chance to win the section. As good as they are, we would have had to do everything well to win. We wrestled well and we were just about as good as we could be. I am very proud of our guys today as they truly did everything in their power to win. We wish JCC the best of luck at the state tournament.”
Individual results:
NRHEG 66, Hayfield 12
1. (106 lbs.) Wyatt Brennan of Hayfield beat Brett Kubiatowicz 7-3 (Decision).
2. (113 lbs.) Cole Lenort of NRHEG won by forfeit.
3. (120 lbs.) Ross Lenort of NRHEG won by forfeit.
4. (126 lbs.) Morgan Moreno of Hayfield beat Cordell Peterson 9-6 (Decision).
5. (132 lbs.) Cole Staloch of NRHEG pinned Jordan Sullivan in 1 minute and 30 seconds.
6. (138 lbs.) Cameryn Stadler of Hayfield pinned Avery Merritt in 2 minutes and 59 seconds.
7. (145 lbs.) Palmer Peterson of NRHEG pinned Garrett Kiser in 4 minutes and 35 seconds.
8. (152 lbs.) Jet Wayne of NRHEG won by forfeit.
9. (160 lbs.) Karter Sletten of NRHEG won by forfeit.
10. (170 lbs.) Nick Bartness of NRHEG won by forfeit.
11. (182 lbs.) Keith Maxon of NRHEG won by forfeit .
12. (195 lbs.) Matt Jensen of NRHEG won by forfeit.
13. (220 lbs.) Jon Weller of NRHEG won by forfeit.
14. (285 lbs.) Todd Erickson of NRHEG beat Trey Chatman 3-1 (Decision).
NRHEG 39, Blue Earth Area 27
1. (106 lbs.) Dalton nagel of Blue Earth Area pinned Brett Kubiatowiczin 3 minutes and 01 second.
2. (113 lbs.) Adam Legred of Blue Earth Area beat Cole Lenort 5-3 (Decision).
3. (120 lbs.) Dillon Kubiatowicz of NRHEG pinned Jonah Legred in 53 seconds.
4. (126 lbs.) Cordell Peterson of NRHEG pinned Cole klinkerin 1 minute and 48 seconds.
5. (132 lbs.) Cole Staloch of NRHEG beat Camden Bowers 6-4 (Decision).
6. (138 lbs.) Alex Merritt of NRHEG beat Zachary Buseman 3-2 (Decision).
7. (145 lbs.) Mike Ankeny of Blue Earth Area pinned Palmer Peterson in 1 minute and 44 seconds.
8. (152 lbs.) Jordan Stelter of Blue Earth Area beat Jet Wayne 10-8 (Decision).
9. (160 lbs.) Trey Hoppe of NRHEG pinned Roger Ziegler in 1 minute and 41 seconds.
10. (170 lbs.) Nick Bartness of NRHEG pinned Jesus Quintero in 52 seconds.
11. (182 lbs.) Keith Maxon of NRHEG pinned Trevor Oppadal in 1 minute and 04 seconds.
12. (195 lbs.) Jacob Johnson of Blue Earth Area beat Matt Jensen 5-4 (Decision).
13. (220 lbs.) Todd Erickson of NRHEG beat Jared Armon 5-2 (Decision).
14. (285 lbs.) Martin Granados of Blue Earth Area pinned Zeke Erickson in 1:43.
JCC 41, NRHEG 34
1. (106 lbs.) Justin Heckard of JCC pinned Brett Kubiatowicz in 1 minute and 58 seconds.
2. (113 lbs.) Jacob Tvinnereim of JCC beat Cole Lenort 16-5 (Major Decision).
3. (120 lbs.) Dillon Kubiatowicz of NRHEG beat Zach Poelaert 12-0 (Major Decision).
4. (126 lbs.) Cordell Peterson of NRHEG pinned Scott Ringquist in 3 minutes and 54 seconds.
5. (132 lbs.) Dalton Wagner of JCC pinned Cole Staloch in 2 minutes and 50 seconds.
6. (138 lbs.) Ryker VanderWoude of JCC beat Alex Merritt 14-3 (Major Decision).
7. (145 lbs.) Palmer Peterson of NRHEG pinned Alec Fischer in 1 minute and 13 seconds.
8. (152 lbs.) Luke Pygman of JCC beat Jet Wayne 8-6 (Decision).
9. (160 lbs.) Paden Moore of JCC pinned Karter Sletten in 1 minute and 14 seconds.
10. (170 lbs.) Luke Norland of JCC pinned Trey Hoppe in 44 seconds.
11. (182 lbs.) Keegan Moore of JCC pinned Nick Bartness in 59 seconds.
12. (195 lbs.) Keith Maxon of NRHEG pinned Matt Strom 3 minutes and 42 seconds.
13. (220 lbs.) Matt Jensen of NRHEG beat Justin Tirevold by injury default.
14. (285 lbs.) Todd Erickson of NRHEG pinned Nate Horn in 1 minute and 58 seconds.