By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva wrestling team faced some big schools over the weekend. The Panthers held up well, winning five of six matches while wrestling on back-to-back days.
NRHEG wrestled at Lakeville Friday, defeating Woodbury and Lakeville South while losing to Lakeville North.
The Panthers defeated Winona, Wabasha-Kellogg and Lake City wrestling at Wabasha Saturday.
NRHEG went 1-2 at both sites last year.
“We are extremely happy with the outcome this weekend,” said NRHEG coach Shawn Larson. “Anytime we can win three matches against AAA schools in two days, it is a good weekend.”Larson’s Panthers raised their record to 16-9 this season.
Woodbury
LAKEVILLE – The Panthers edged Woodbury 38-37, winning on criteria E (most falls).
Cole Lenort got NRHEG off to a good start with a third-period fall at 106-pounds.
Cordell Peterson picked up a 3:24 pin at 120-pounds.
NRHEG had to rally as Woodbury won five consecutive weights after Pederson’s fall.
Dillon Parpart captured a 14-8 victory at 170, followed by a Nick Bartness 12-2 major at 182.
The Panthers needed 12 points in the final two matches to force a tie, and got them.
At 220 and 285, Todd Erickson and Wyatt Fitterer both recorded first-period falls.
Lakeville South
LAKEVILLE – NRHEG collected three pins in the first four bouts and rolled to an easy 51-24 win over Lakeville South.
Lenort, Dillon Kubiatowicz and Peterson had pins to get the Panthers off to a quick start.
Karter Sletten helped the NRHEG cause with a pin at 138.
The Panthers pulled away from a 24-24 deadlock with the strength at the end of their lineup, winning the final five matches.
Parpart, Bartness, Keith Maxon and Zeke Erickson registered four consecutive falls, and Fitterer wrapped things up with an 8-5 win.
Lakeville North
LAKEVILLE – North defeated NRHEG 41-24, handing the Panthers their only loss of the day.
Lenort registered his third straight pin, sticking his opponent in 1:27.
But, North won the next five matches to open up a commanding lead.
Jet Wayne at 145 and Tyler Logan at 152, tried to rally the Panthers with 8-4 and 4-3 wins respectively.
However, four more Lakeville wins wrapped up the victory.
At 220, Todd Erickson pinned his man with five seconds left in the opening period.
Fitterer received a forfeit in the heavyweight match.
Winona
WABASHA – Six forfeits made things easy as the Panthers blasted Winona 60-15 at Wabasha-Kellogg Saturday.
The Winhawks could win just four weight classes in the match.
Peterson earned a 2:50 fall at 126-pounds for the Panthers.
Try Hoppe (160) and Parpart (182) both pinned their opponent in the opening period.
At 220, Zeke Erickson had a second-period pin for NRHEG.
Wabasha-Kellogg
WABASHA – NRHEG reached 60 points for the second straight match, whipping Wabasha-Kellogg 60-21.
No individual results were provided for this match.
Lake City
WABASHA – NRHEG concluded its day with a 43-21 triumph.
A second-period reversal was enough to allow Lenort to start the match with a 3-0 win.
Bryce Okland added a 3:01 pin at 113-pounds.
After a couple of Tiger wins, Alex Merritt picked up an 11-2 major at 132, followed by Karter Sletten’s first-period fall at 138.
Wayne carved out a 4-2 win at 145.
Hoppe captured a 67-4 victory at 152, followed by pins from Parpart and Bartness.
Todd Erickson got the final Panther win of the day with a 2:40 fall at 220-pounds.
Lenort went 5-0 over the two days, including four falls.
Cordell Peterson went 4-1, and Logan captured two of three matches.
Parpart and Bartness were both 5-1 with three falls.
“I am looking forward to what could happen if our team can continue making improvements with each competition,” said Larson.
The Panthers conclude their regular season schedule hosting Blooming Prairie tonight.