By Corey Meints
Ellsworth Community College recorded a 24-18 regular season win against Hawkeye Community College Monday night inside Dittmer Gymnasium.
The Panthers hadn't won since beating Southeastern 35-21 on Dec. 3 with a full roster. Two weeks later, ECC was left with just five wrestlers. Monday night all five won.
After giving the visiting RedTails forfeits at 125 and 133, Gabe Brazzel got ECC on the board with a 15-10 decision over Colin Royster. He scored six late and added a riding time point.
With no match at 149, the Panthers trailed 12-3 heading to Nicholas Fischer's bout at 157. The match lasted 2:47, but there was a lot of scoring before Fischer got the fall. Jackson Turner scored the first points with a takedown, but a reversal with four backpoints and a penalty point gave the Panther sophomore a 7-3 lead. Turner scored an escape, but Fischer booked a takedown and turn before the fall.
Down 12-9, ECC surrendered another forfeit at 165 to make it 18-9. The winning run started with Josh Berlin 174. He scored the first takedown against HCC's Austin Pfantz, and was up 3-1 after the first period. It was 3-2 after a Pfantz escape but Berlin ended the period on top with another takedown. He surrendered a stalling point in the third to make it a 6-3 final.
Another no match at 184 gave the Panthers little room for error in the final two weights. The 18-12 deficit turned into 18-all as Jiraiya Fonseca took a forfeit at 197.
That set the stage for Tafari Parker at 285. An early takedown gave Parker a 3-0 lead over Lex Coleman-Tunsil and it was 3-1 heading into the second period. Parker did all the scoring in the frame, an escape, and led 4-1 with the third period yet to go. The ECC heavyweight didn't need the full final two minutes, turning the RedTail for a pin in 6:21.
Next up is the North Central District Meet on Sunday. The Panthers will face the top two teams in the country in Indian Hills and Iowa Central. Iowa Western is also ranked at 17th.
For more on ECC Athletics, visit https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/
ICCAC Wrestling
Monday at Iowa Falls
ECC 24, Hawkeye 18
125: Mariyon Norton (H) FF; 133: Adam Fish (H) FF; 141: Gabe Brazzel (ELCC) dec. Colin Royster 15-10; 149: NO MATCH; 157: Nicholas Fischer (E) pin Jackson Turner 2:45; 165: Max Mintle (H) FF; 174: Josh Berlin (E) dec. Austin Pfantz 6-3; 184: NO MATCH; 197: Jiraiya Fonseca (E) FF; 285: Tafari Parker (E) pin Lex Coleman-Tunsil 6:21.