It’s a whole new season for the Ellsworth wrestling team.

The squad started the year with some COVID-19 related issues, but those are in the rearview now, and the Panthers are starting to fire on all cylinders.

“I would say we’re a lot different team than we were a month ago. I can confidently say that,” said Coach Mike Matzek. “The team is progressing very nicely. We got through the problems at the beginning, and we’ve had a couple injuries. Knock on wood, those guys should be back this week. We shouldn’t have to be bumping guys up to fill weight classes.”

After a loss to start the season, Ellsworth has won three straight matches over Somerset, New Richmond and Saint Croix Central.

The Panthers handled Saint Croix Central 37-20 at home over winter break last Monday. Louis Jahnke and Landon Lampman got things off to a good start in the first two matches by pinning their opponents._ Ellsworth also got wins by Will Penn at 113, Corey Poellinger at 126, Jakob McCabe (132), Braden Matzek (145) and Ivan Veendenall. In the final two matches, Ellsworth’s Anthony Madsen, at 182, scored a technical fall, while Ryan Matzek scored an impressive come-from-behind decision.

Things are continuing to look up as the WIAA loosened its restrictions on multi-team competitions. Initially, only dual meets a week apart were allowed, but now triangular and quad meets got the green light.

The Panthers wrestle in a triangular Thursday at Hudson that will include Middle Border foe Osceola as well.

On Jan. 14, the Panthers will compete in a quad meet at Chippewa Falls that will also include Marshfield and Prescott.

Having multiple matches a night is huge for wrestler improvement.

“They need that time. They need competition time. After each competition, it gives me great gauge of where we’re at and what we need to work on. Without those competitions, it’s hard to put a finger on it,” said Matzek. “Just getting out there means so much. After Saint Croix Central, we had a great week of practice. We had very specific technique to get through and we did. We can see the improvement.” _ Ellsworth is now 3-1 in a tie for second place with Baldwin-Woodville in the Middle Border Conference. Their final conference meet will be at Amery Jan. 21.

The Middle Border Conference Meet set for Jan. 23 has been scrapped, but Matzek said WIAA Regionals will be held.

“The WIAA right now has us wrestling Regionals on the 30th. That’s slated to happen. They’re actively working at finding large enough places to host Team Sectionals also,” he said. “We’ll see how it comes together. I don’t know how far they’re going to go with it.”

And while wrestling this season has been a challenge, said Matzek: “At least we’re not Minnesota.”

“The kids are getting in a groove. They enjoy working hard. They’re getting in shape. We’re hitting our stride here,” Matzek said. “I’m excited for the next three weeks.”