By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The competition was tough and the NRHEG wrestlers were a bit off their game Saturday in the Bob Swalla Duals at Kasson-Mantorville.
It resulted in a bit of a long day.
The Panthers dropped two of three dual meets and finished 10th among 11 teams.
“We wrestled a little inconsistently,” said NRHEG coach Shawn Larson.
The Panthers lost the opener 52-18 to Caledonia, bouncing back in the second round to defeat Menomonie, Wis., 49-23. They then fell 52-18 to Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson.
Cordell Peterson and Trey Hoppe won by fall against Caledonia while Austin Hill received a forfeit.Cordell Peterson, Sawyer VanMaldeghem, Cole Staloch, Bryce Okland, Palmer Peterson, Karter Sletten, Hoppe, Alex Buckmeier and Wyatt Fitterer posted victories against Menomonie. Cordell Peterson, Hoppe, Zeke Erickson and Fitterer had wins in the final meet.
Also wrestling for the Panthers were Andrew Bailey, Brett Kubiatowicz, Tyler Jacobson and Trai Wicks.
“We were competitive in the first two rounds, though we definitely were not prepared during our last match of the day,” said Larson. “We are making improvements up and down the lineup, though we need to find a way to have all of our wrestlers at their best at the same time.”
Larson was happy to see Palmer Peterson, the Panthers’ quarterback in football, on the mat after a season-long injury.
“We are hoping his presence will spark a turnaround for the remainder of the season,” said Larson. “We are a team that can be competitive. We just need to find some consistency.”
The Panthers wrestle at Maple River Friday, Jan. 29.