New Richmond wrestlers give Ellsworth a scare
There haven’t been many Middle Border Conference wrestling teams that have been able to put a scare into the Ellsworth team over the past two decades.
- Abe Anderson
There haven’t been many Middle Border Conference wrestling teams that have been able to put a scare into the Ellsworth team over the past two decades.
When New Richmond won four of the first five matches wrestled in the MBC dual at Ellsworth last Thursday, it got the attention of the Ellsworth wrestlers and fans. Ellsworth did manage to finish off the Tigers, 40-24.
New Richmond won six of the 12 matches that were wrestled, with the Tigers forfeiting the 160- and 285-pound classes.
The Tigers dominated the lower weights. New Richmond won six of the seven matches in the lower half of the bout sheet. Ellsworth’s only win came at 120 pounds, where two-time state champion Jens Lantz defeated New Richmond state qualifier Shane Blackman 10-4.
New Richmond coach Mark Neumann said Blackman put up a good battle against Lantz.
“(Lantz) is one of the best kids in the nation and you see it when you wrestle him,” Neumann said.
That 120-pound bout was the opening match of the night. The Tigers would then grab the attention of everyone in attendance by winning four straight matches.
It started with Derek Dowd, who put together a solid 5-1 win at 126 pounds. John Keifer followed with a 3-2 win at 132 pounds. Tiger senior Abe Anderson avenged a loss from last season by beating one of Ellsworth’s standouts, Dan Langer, 4-2. Austin Anderson made it four in a row by winning another close decision, 3-1, over Tristen Mueller.
“The crowd was getting pretty nervous,” Neumann said of the Ellsworth faithful who are unaccustomed to seeing opponents reel off consecutive wins.
The Tigers nearly had a fifth straight win, but Michael Steel was pinned with five seconds left in the 152-pound match. Steel relaxed for just a moment and that was the opening Ellsworth’s Josh Hines needed, taking Steel to his back for the pin.
Ellsworth gained momentum from there, sweeping the upper weights. When the match turned back to the light weights, New Richmond took charge again. Seth Leavens scored a pin in the 106-pound class over Andrew Swanson, son of New Richmond High School Assistant Principal Jeff Swanson.
The final match of the night was another pin for the Tigers, with Dylan Dowd getting that win.
Coach Neumann said the Tigers are building a base of strength with the success throughout the bottom half of the lineup.
“They like winning, they’ve got a lot of desire to be successful,” Neumann said.
He added that several freshmen were able to win junior varsity matches at Ellsworth, adding to the optimism for the program’s future.
Because of the large number of wrestlers on the team, the Tigers coaches are looking to recruit former wrestlers who want to come to practices and work out with the team. Any former wrestlers interested can contact Neumann at 715-243-1767 or markn@newrichmond.k12.wi.us.
This Thursday the Tigers will be competing in a non-conference match at Park High School of Cottage Grove, Minn. Over the holiday break the Tigers will make their annual trip to wrestle in the Bi-state Classic on Dec. 28-29 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse.
Tags: sports, tigers, wrestling, prep
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