By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
NRHEG High School wrestling coach Shawn Larson was hopeful his team could keep it close in a dual meet against Maple River/USC Thursday, Dec. 7.
A big early deficit made that impossible.
The Longhorns led 36-6 through seven matches and went on to a 45- 24 victory in New Richland.
"In general, we had some good things happen for us," said NRHEG coach Shawn Larson. "It was a great night with a fun crowd."
The Panthers' Charlie Tufte, Dakota Schlaak and Mason Reeder lost by fall at 107 pounds, 114 and 121 before Seth Staloch got NRHEG on the scoreboard with a first-period pin at 127.
Parker Bunn, Deven Parpart and Noah Weller were pinned at 133, 139 and 145, respectively.
Aiden Schlaak scored a 9-1 major decision at 152 and Harbor Cromwell prevailed with a 10-0 major at 160, but Ryan Schlaak dropped a 7-3 decision at 172.
George Roesler won by fall at 189 and Cole Hutchens won 10-2 at 215.
Jace Ihrke was pinned in the 285 bout.
"I thought going in that we had an opportunity to make this a tight match, and realistically it could have been," said Coach Larson. "They are a decent team and I thought they wrestled well tonight. Our downfall right now is coming from our younger inexperienced wrestlers. We are in a better situation than we have been at this point for a few years, and I am proud of the effort. We will work on trying to
keep the bonus points in check against us, and if we can do that, we have a chance in matches like this in the future. On the other hand, every one of our wins were bonus point wins including falls from Staloch and Roesler."
The Panthers bounce back in a big way in a quadrangular at Lamberton Friday Dec. 8, winning three dual meets.
The Panthers eclipsed Red Rock Central 45-30 in the opener. Winning were Reeder, 121; Staloch, 127; Bunn, 133; Parpart, 139; Cromwell, 160; Ryan Schlaak, 172; Wyatt Larson, 189; Roesler, 215; and Ihrke, 285.
The Panthers topped St. Clair- Mankato Loyola 46-24 behind wins by Dakota Schlaak, Reeder, Staloch, Bunn, Parpart, Noah Weller, Roesler and Ihrke.
The Panthers defeated Madelia/Truman 30-10, with victories by Dakota Schlaak, Parpart, Aiden Schlaak, Ryan Schlaak and Larson.
“It was a lot of fun to come out with some wins tonight,” said Larson. “We were a little slow after a long bus ride, but as the night progressed, we did a nice job. I am very happy with how our team has been competing and I am really looking forward to this coming weekend, when we will be at the Redwood Riot. It will be a good measuring stick for many of our wrestlers.”
The Panthers wrestle three times at Lakeville South on Thursday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m. Then the Panthers will be in Redwood Falls Friday and Saturday for the Redwood Riot, a 36-team tournament.