2021-22 PANTHER WRESTLING - Front row from left: Wyatt Larson, Jacob Karl, Nikolas Petsinger, Annabelle Petsinger, Seth Staloch, Ryan Schlaak, Dylan Riskedahl, and Aden Berg. Back row: Clay Stenzel, Ralph Roesler, Makota Misgen, Aidan Schlaak, George Roesler, Ben Hagen, Jace Ihrke, Harbor Cromwell, Cole Hutchens, Deven Parpart. Not pictured with the team: Parker Bunn, and Carter Flatland
Star Eagle photo by Eli Lutgens
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The Minnesota State High School League has added girls wrestling to its slate of state tournaments this year and it is something 9th year NRHEG head coach Shawn Larson says the entire program is looking forward to. “Having a competitor in the inaugural season of girls wrestling in the state of Minnesota is a big deal.”
Entering the season, sophomore Annabelle Petsinger is ranked 13th in the pound-for-pound rankings for girls in the state of Minnesota.
On the boys side, many notable and well decorated wrestlers return: senior Ralph Roesler, 2020 state tournament entrant and state preliminary 3rd place winner; senior Nikolas Petsisnger, state preliminary qualifier; junior Makota Misgen, all-conference, state preliminary qualifier. Other returning letter winners include: senior Clay Stenzel, junior Aden Berg, sophomore Parker Bunn, sophomore George Roesler, freshman Ben Hagen, freshman Aidan Schlaak, freshman Seth Staloch, 8th grader Deven Parpart, 8th grader Carter Flatland.
Coming back after an 8-14 record (3-7 conference) in 2020, Coach Larson’s career record sits at 74-89. He is assisted by 25 year veteran Nate Jensen, second year assistant, former NRHEG wrestler and 2015 graduate Dillion Kubiatowicz, and fourth year volunteer assistant Daniel Petsinger. The Panthers graduated three athletes from last season’s varsity team, Thor Routh, Max Seltun, and Nick Staloch. “Thor was a place winner at the section tournament several times, and was a leader in our program that will be missed.”
In the past five years the Panthers best finish came in 2018 when they lost in the section semi-finals to Kenyon-Wanamingo. The Panthers hope to regain a position in the top three spots within the gopher conference. “We are hoping to learn from our setbacks from last season, and have a winning season this year,” coach Larson said.
The Panther’s strength, according to Larson, are it’s returning athletes who have competed at the varsity level for several years. “We had a decent season last year, and are optimistic we can be strong again this year because we brought almost everyone back. We are a bit older and more experienced, and ready for competition. Our main issue will be maintaining a full line-up as we have several wrestlers in the same weight range.”
The key to overcoming this obstacle, according to Larson, is getting athletes to wrestle full matches, but also being willing to take risks. “Last season's downfall came from giving up too many bonus points. If we can eliminate that, we will be much more competitive. Also taking risks to score points in situations where we have been tentative in the recent past. If we focus on scoring instead of the winning and losing, the wins should come as a result.”
Within the conference, Larson expects Kenyon-Wanamingo, Medford, or the combination of Maple River and USC to be the favorites. In the district, Blue Earth appears to remain the team to beat with Maple River/USC and Medford hot on their tails.