By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
The NRHEG wrestling team went 1-2 in a quadrangular at Waterville Monday, Feb. 6, defeating Blue Earth Area 45-36 while falling to WEM/JWP 38-29 and Cannon Falls 45-30.
"We wrestled well tonight," said NRHEG coach Shawn Larson. "We started the season giving up 60 points or more in dual meets, and we finished with a night where we gave up 38. Even though we lost two of the three duals, I am proud that we are competing at the level we are going into the postseason. In the WEM/JWP dual we probably had the best matchup with another team we have had since we wrestled them last season. There were many good matches in this dual. When we can have that many close matches, even if we are losing, we are giving ourselves a chance to win as a team."
Against WEM/JWP, the Panthers had falls from junior Parker Bunn, 126 pounds; freshman Deven Parpart, 132; sophomore Aidan Schlaak, 138; and a technical fall from eighth-grader Ryan Schlaak, 145. Aden Berg won by forfeit at 220 and Makota Misgen dropped a 3-2 overtime decision at 285.
The Panthers competed well with Cannon Falls, according to Larson, earning falls from freshman Jacob Karl, 106; junior Annabelle Petsinger, 120; and Ryan Schlaak, 145. Parpart prevailed 11-4 at 132, Aiden Schlaak won 11-6 at 138 Misgen won by forfeit at 285.
"Against Blue Earth we were fortunate enough to have good matches work in our favor to earn a win," said Larson. "We worked hard all night and it was nice to earn a win."
Falls were provided by Petsinger, Ryan Schlaak and Misgen. Reese Routh registered a 13-6 decision at 152. Winning by forfeit were Harbor Cromwell, 170; Cole Hutchens, 195; and Berg, 220.
The Panthers wrestle in the section tournament Thursday, Feb. 16 at a site to be determined.