Esplan, Lassahn net 100th career wins
MAT MILESTONE — NRHEG senior David Lassahn, top, was one of two Panther wrestlers to record his 100th career victory at Stewartville Saturday, along with senior Dustin Esplan. Both reached the finals as the Panthers placed third. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
There are times when it can be a challenge to please NRHEG wrestling coach Paul Cyr.
The Panthers made sure Saturday was not one of those days.
The NRHEG boys did some of their best wrestling of the season at the Stewartville Invitational, where they finished third among 10 schools.
“This was by far and away our best outing of the season, not only in the number of team points and place, but in overall intensity and effort against good competition. It was great to see our guys wrestle at this level.”
New Hampton, Iowa won the tournament with 216 points, followed by Caledonia with 206.5, NRHEG 186.5, Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland 142, Rochester John Marshall 135, Stewartville 114, Dover-Eyota 86, Blooming Prairie 33 and Rochester Century 17.The Panthers had an impressive five finalists and two champions, senior David Lassahn at 145 pounds and senior Seth Petranek at 182. Lassahn won by fall in the finals.
Taking second for NRHEG were Dustin Esplan, 120; Brandon LeBlanc, 132; and Dillon Parpart, 160.
It was a milestone day for Esplan and Lassahn, who both recorded their 100th career varsity win during the tournament.
Finishing third were Jade Waltz, 113; Tyler Logan, 126; and Geoff Ramaker, 182. Each won three matches by fall, an impressive feat, according to Cyr.
Jacob Staloch placed fifth at 138.
Also wrestling but not placing for NRHEG were Dillon Kubiatowicz, 106; and Sam Jewett, 170. The Panthers had no entries at 220 or 285.
“This was our first time at what I consider our tournament weights, and it helped to contribute to our good effort,” said Cyr. “We saw a lot of good things from some of our younger guys. Lassahn continues on a very good roll.”
The Panthers are 7-0 in dual meets and 2-0 in the Gopher Conference. They travel to face United South Central in a conference showdown Thursday night before making the trek to the Hutchinson Invitational on Saturday.
Gopher Conference standings
WEM/JWP 3-0
NRHEG 2-0
USC 1-1
Medford 0-2
Blooming Prairie 0-3