On the road on Wednesday, Jan. 29 Ellsworth Community College pulled off a huge upset of second ranked NIACC, 30-11.

The Panthers won seven of 10 weights over the Trojans. After losing the first match, Hector Candelaria earned a fall at 133 pounds. Scott Cook followed with a 10-7 decision. Cardy Wilson escaped with a win at 149 (5-3 decision) and Todd Perry earned a 5-1 upset at 157 pounds. Justin Grant (174), Rozell Baker (184) and Darrell Mason (285) all picked up wins for ECC.

On Saturday, Feb. 1 the Panthers competed in the Duhawk Open in Dubuque.

Candelaria (133) was one of 13 ECC placers and one of three to end their day early by medically forfeiting their final match of the day. Baker (184) and Mason (285) finished fourth and second respectively. Baker injury defaulted his semifinal match, then forfeited the third place bout. Mason, did not take the mat for his title match. Jackson Wenberg took third at 133 after bowing out of his final match as well. Wilson, defending national champion, took a bye, a technical fall and a pin into the semifinals against the first of two highly-touted University of Northern Iowa wrestlers. He edged Gable Fox 5-3 to reach the title bout where he dropped a 4-2 decision to Tristan Lara in the second sudden victory. Hunter Cobb (174) was ECC's other top-three finisher. He went 3-1 on the day with a tech fall and two pins.

For more on the match against the Trojans, visit http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/panthers-pull-mat-upset/article_63424e96-436e-11ea-bde6-abb5fcbbce40.html