When asked what he thought about their dual at Amery last Thursday, Head Coach Mark Matzek thought one thing stuck out.

“The kids wrestled hard.”

Ellsworth scored points in the first five matches, starting with Logan Peterson at 220 pounds. Peterson won a close decision against Amery’s Robert Beese, 4-3.

Kyle Anschutz wrestled next at 285 pounds. Opponent Carter Neilsen’s two points were not enough to win a decision after Anschutz scored 4. 106 pound wrestler Cale Ekholm squared off against Brendan Burke and comfortably won a decision, 9-3. Corey Poellinger defeated Amery’s Sam Kelling in a 10-3 decision.

Cole Nelson scored a technical fall over Amery’s Hunter Beese wrestling at 120 pounds. Joseph Wentz scored Amery’s first points in a 4-1 decision over Ellsworth’s Jack Voelker. Amery’s Jordan Penard made it two in a row for the Warriors with a major decision victory over Bailey Poellinger.

Charlie Stuhl brought the momentum back into the Panthers hands with a technical fall victory over Mason Tylee, wrestling at 138 pounds. 145 pound wrestlers Walker Ingham and Braden Matzek faced off next and Warriors won this match with a 5-2 decision.

Anthony Madsen’s victory over Amery’s Timmy Kelling triggered another run of Panther’s winning decision victories.

Carter Huppert won at 160 pounds, Ryan Matzek won at 170 pounds and Mike Hines was victorious at 182 pounds before the Warriors won the final match.

The Panthers finished victorious with a final score of 34-15.

“Amery is much improved, and they’re going to be better next year. Our guys defended the Ellsworth program on Thursday, and they do it again on Saturday,” Matzek stated proudly about his team.

The Middle Border Conference Tournament is Saturday at New Richmond. WIAA Regionals is the following Saturday in Amery.

“After the big win on Thursday against a tough and hungry Amery team, we need to keep our foot on the gas pedal going into tournament time. We can’t overlook it. I know that some of our guys and fans and even myself are looking at the Regional right now. We need to stay focused. One of our team goals going into the season was to win a conference title again, so we’re working hard toward that goal. I tell the guys to focus on the tree ahead. Don’t look at the forest,” Matzek said.

The Panthers led the Middle Border Conference in dual victories this season following the hard-fought win over Amery.

Photos by Jonathan Claesson.