Wrestlers improve to 2-0 in duals
In recent years, NRHEG wrestling coach Shawn Larson has talked a lot about improvement.
This year, the Panthers are showing it on the scoreboard.
NRHEG, 1-0 in the Gopher Conference, improved to 2-0 in dual meets with a 51-19 triumph over Pine Island at New Richland Thursday, Dec. 12.
“It was another good win,” said coach Shawn Larson. “Although some of the matches that could have been wrestled, were not wrestled, we showed great intensity in the matches that we got to compete in. Unfortunately, they had a few athletes out due to sickness, and others were unable to make weight, so there were several forfeits. I was happy that in the matches that were actually wrestled, we did well.”
The Panthers won 15-13 in matches wrestled.
A pair of 8th-graders, Parker Bunn and George Roesler, scored first-period falls at 113 and 170 pounds, respectively. Thor Routh won an 8-1 decision at 160. Winning by forfeit were Annabelle Petsinger, Ethan Thompson, Agro Gushwa, Conner Okland and Ben Hagen.
“We were hoping for more matches, but that is how it turns out from time to time,” said Larson. “We will need to bring the intensity this weekend at Jackson County Central.”
The Panthers finished 13th among 17 teams in the JCC Invitational Saturday. Ralph Roesler finished as the runner-up at 170. Nikolas Petsinger, 120, and Routh, 152, took sixth.
“Once again we were at a very tough tournament,” said Larson. “Even though we had several losses, we are showing improvement at many weight classes. Nikolas Petsinger, Thor Routh, and Ralph Roesler continue to wrestle well.”
The Panthers placed sixth out of seven schools in the St. James Invitational Dec. 8. Ralph Roesler took the championship at 170 while Routh was runner-up at 152. Nikolas Petsinger, Gushwa and George Roesler finished third, Okland fourth, Clay Stenzel fifth.
“We put together another good performance today with seven of nine wrestlers placing in the tournament,” said Larson. “I am proud that we can be competitive in a tournament like this without having a full lineup. Later in the season we will fill the lineup a little better, and that makes me excited about what our team can do in the near future. We had a very good showing from Ralph Roesler, Thor Routh, Nikolas Petsinger, and George Roesler. Each of these wrestlers finished the day with one or less losses on the day. For Routh, and the Roesler boys, this was their highest placing in their tournaments. I am hoping that we continue to make gains. We are wrestling well right now, and we are having some fun competing, which is why we are here.”
The Panthers’ next competition is Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Redwood Riot at Redwood Area High School. The tournament starts at 4 p.m. on Friday.