By Corey Meints
Ellsworth Community College was shorthanded when they returned to the mat Saturday in Mason City. They filled just four of the 10 weights and finished seventh in the Battle For The Helmet, hosted by NIACC.
The Panthers started the season with 11 on the roster for first-year head coach Diorian Coleman, but injuries and two Christmas break transfers took a toll as they faced a field that included fellow ICCAC teams Southeast, Iowa Western, NIACC, and Hawkeye. Ranked 15th, Iowa Western finished third behind champion Southeast and runner-up Harper (18th).
With the four on the mat, the Panthers finished seventh in the team tournament. Gabe Brazzel (141) and Tafari Parker (285) led the way with sixth place finishes. Nicholas Fischer (157) and Joshua Berlin (174) finished eighth.
Brazzel used a consolation bye to finish sixth at 141, dropping his two matches by technical fall. Parker was pinned twice at 285, finishing sixth with a 4-3 decision in Sudden Victory-2 over NIACC's Shantavous White – one of three at the weight for the hosts.
Fischer opened with a bye at 157, but dropped two tech falls, a pin and a decision to finish eighth. Berlin dropped his opener at 174 then picked up a bye and an 8-0 major decision over NIACC's Bryan Weston before dropping his last two matches by technical and medical forfeit to finish eighth as well.
Battle For The Helmet
Saturday at Mason City
Team Results: 1. Southeast CC 133; 2. Harper 116; 3. Iowa Western 108; 4. NIACC 87.5; 5. Hawkeye CC 40; 6. Waldorf 34.5; 7. Ellsworth 22.5.
141: Gabe Brazzel (6th place): TF by Chris Williams (NIACC) 20-2 2:12; Bye; TF by Cole Fenwick (IW) 19-4 3:25.
157: Nicholas Fischer (8th): Bye; TF by Keith Smith (SCC) 15-0 2:47; TF Jackson Turner (HCC) 18-2 4:25; pin by Benny Butler (Harp) 0:45; dec. by Dylan McEwen (NIACC) 14-8.
174: Joshua Berlin (8th): dec. by Tyson Poyer (Harp) 4-1; Bye; MD Bryan Weston (NIACC) 8-0; TF by Daven Hames (W) 19-4 6:13; lbmff. Tyson Poyer (Harp).
285: Tafari Parker (6th): pin by Grant Henderson (NIACC) 2:38; dec. Shantavous White (NIACC) 4-3 SV2; pin by Wyatt Hanna (NIACC) 2:02.