COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA --Ellsworth's Mirzo Khayitov lost a heartbreaking decision in the finals of the NJCAA National Championships, but still earned All-American status for the 2nd year in a row and freshman Brent Greenfield also achieved All-American recognition for the Panthers in the finale of the wrestling season.

Khayitov, who was 3rd at nationals last year, took on Clackamas's Steele Starren in the finals at 165 pounds.  Starren was looking to improve on his runnerup finish from a year ago.  Starren used a riding-time point to get the 4-3 decision over Khayitov, who got a takedown with a minute remaining in the 3rd period, but couldn't complete another takedown that would have won the match for the ECC wrestler from Uzbekistan.  Khayitov was impressive in advancing to the championship match.  He pinned his first opponent in 1:07, won consecutive decisions by scores of 8-6 and 6-1, and then got another pin in the semifinal match in 1:31 to advance to the title bout.

Greenfield, meanwhile, wound up 7th at 185 pounds as the South Hamiton HS grad wrestled in his first national tournament.  He won his opening two matches with a 2-0 decision and by injury default before dropping an 18-3 technical fall.  The freshman stayed alive for All-American honors with a pin in 1:52, was pinned in 5:18 and then won the 7th place match with a fall in 3:58.

All 7 of the Ellsworth wrestlers who qualified for the tourney won at least one match. 

Kaden Karns, at 125, won his opening round match before losing his next two.

At 157, Diego Isiordia won his first two matches with a decision and a pin, then dropped two in a row.

Juan Isiordia, in the 174 pound class, was pinned to open his tourney run, then won 3 straight decisions before bowing out in a 4-1 decision.

Isaiah Laguna started strong with back-to-back pins at 197, then lost a tech fall and a decision.

And Tegan Carson, the 285-pounder, lost two bouts, but got a pin in one minute for his tournament results.

First-year head coach Victor Coronado's Panthers had a record of 17-13 and recorded 8 pins.  Ellsworth finished with 47.5 points, good for 15th place in the team standings.  They were 5th among ICCAC schools, ahead of NIACC and Iowa Lakes.