Panthers win conference: defeat Blossoms on the road

In an exceptionally short wrestling match at Blooming Prairie, the Panthers defeated the Blossoms 44-6, stealing the Gopher Conference title from Maple River. 
In a match filled with forfeits and double forfeits, the Panthers were still able to show off their talent, securing four pins, a 16-0 win and a 5-3 decision. The Panthers only loss came in the first bout, as Blooming Prairie’s Ethan Arett pinned Brett Kubiatowicz. 
“Our guys did wrestle well, and we are happy at how we look heading into the section tournament,” said Panthers Coach Shawn Larson.
New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva last won the conference title in 2013, but Maple River took the title from them the following year. 
“Winning the conference is a big deal to us,” said Larson. “We knew that winning was attainable, but we would need a lot of work to get there.”
Winning the conference title, however, is by no means the Panthers ultimate goal.
“The conference championship is a boost, but we know that there is still a very tough section ahead of us,” said Larson. “The keys for us in sections are to get through matches without giving bonus points and taking each match one at a time.”
The Panthers next wrestle at home against Hayfield on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m.