It wasn't the finish that raucous Ellsworth Community College crowd wanted, but it was the result they all came for. Darrell Mason ignited the already loud student section with an opening takedown against Iowa Central's Boone McDermott, but ended up losing 9-2. But the hosting Panthers defended Martin Dittmer Gymnasium in Iowa Falls Wednesday night by a 19-15 count.

That avenged a 28-13 loss to the Tritons earlier this season in Fort Dodge.

ICCC opened with a decision at 125, but ECC knotted it with a 9-4 decision by defending national runner-up Hector Candelaria at 133. The Panther sophomore, one of 10 honored before the dual, was never in trouble.

ECC took the lead at 141 with a Scott Cook decision, then added to it as defending national champion Cardy Wilson booked a 14-2 major decision. It was just the fourth time on the mat this season for the sophomore who has battled injuries all season.

ECC then lost tough two-point losses at 157 and 165, and a three-pointer at 174 which gave the visitors a 12-10 lead. But then sophomore Rozell Baker threw Reymundo Vasquez with a lateral for a 38-second pin.

While Baker's fall gave the Panthers the lead, it was still anybody's dual with two matches left. The winner came next, though, as sophomore Trayvon Jackson used a second period reversal and riding time to win 3-1 at 197.

That took the heavies out of the equation and secured ECC with their seventh win, moving them to 7-3. They next face second-ranked NIACC in Mason City on Jan. 29.

For more on the match and more photos, go to http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/thriller-in-dittmer-ecc-beats-rival-tritons/article_255b7200-3de8-11ea-a0d8-7fcac60c3c24.html