The other NRHEG wrestlers had some tough first-round matches. They their chances in the wrestlebacks, according to Cyr, but finished short of the medal platform.

Junior David Lassahn, 125, had what Cyr called a hard-luck tournament.

“If it weren’t for luck, Lassahn would not have any,” said Cyr.

Lassahn expected a wrestleback opportunity after being pinned by defending state champion Christian Skillings in the first round, but Skillings was defeated and then defaulted out of the tournament.

Lassahn finished 31-8.

Junior Brandon LeBlanc, 135, also had a tough first-round draw, being pinned by eventual runner-up Mike Jarnot of Holdingford. He performed well in the wrestlebacks, according to Cyr, but could not score a late takedown and was beaten 6-4 by Rusty Grism of Lake City. He ended the season 26-14.

Jacob Staloch, a junior, was pinned by eventual state champion Clint Poster of Pierz in the first round at 140. He fell 4-2 to Rij Koehnen of Frazee in the wrestlebacks.

“Like LeBlanc, he had opportunities to win his wrestleback match, but could not finish a late takedown attempt and was eliminated,” said Cyr. He finished 26-14.

Junior Seth Petranek, the Panthers’ lone section champion, turned in what Cyr called “a very good tournament.”

Petranek handled Border West senior Wylie Pullis 7-1 in the opening round before falling 7-5 to eventual fifth-place finisher David Joseph of Kimball Area. In the wrestlebacks, Petranek decisioned Cory Wensmann of Royalton/Upsala before having his season end with a 10-2 defeat to Chad Matthees of Zumbrota-Mazeppa. Matthees went on to finish fourth. Petranek was 33-11 for the season.

“All in all, the Panthers had a successful state tournament,” said Cyr. “Hopefully, we set the tone for bigger and better things in the future.”