IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- In a season that has been hampered by stoppages because of COVID concerns and other illnesses, the Ellsworth Panthers were finally able to resume their schedule Tuesday night at home against #10 ranked Iowa Central.  The Tritons won 9 of 10 matches and rolled to a 39-3 victory at Dittmer Gym.

The Panthers, rated 18th nationally, have been limited to two competitions -- both invitationals -- since their last dual way back on Dec. 2 against Iowa Western.  The second of the two invites was Jan. 8. 

The lone win against ICCC Tuesday was turned in by Isaiah Laguna at 197 pounds.  He decisioned Tevion Sample, 3-0.

The night's feature match came at 149 between a couple of national place-winners from last year, Ellsworth's Nathan Lendt and Iowa Central's Keaton Geerts.  Lendt scored a takedown and four near-fall points to grab a quick 6-0 lead, but Geerts cut the deficit in half by the end of the opening period and went on to take a 7-6 decision, the deciding point coming on riding time.

The Tritons got two pins and won two matches by tech falls and two more by major decisions.

The Panthers will wrestle a dual at NIACC on Thursday night and then face off against Iowa Lakes at home on Feb. 3.

IOWA CENTRAL 39, ELLSWORTH 3

125 - Kaden Karns (E) lost a 14-2 major decision

133 - Zeth Strejc (E) lost by pin

141 - Evan Barajas (E) lost a 17-2 tech fall

149 - Nathan Lendt (E) lost a 7-6 decision

155 - Diego Isiordia (E) lost a 12-2 major decision

165 - Mirzo Khayitov (E) lost a 7-3 decision

174 - Nolan Craine (E) lost a tech fall

184 - Ethan Miller (E) lost a 7-2 decision

197 - Isaiah Laguna (E) won a 3-0 decision

285 - Larry Everfield (E) lost by pin