ST.PAUL — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers wrestling team started Saturday with two wrestlers still alive in the Class 1A individual state tournament.

Dustin Esplan was the only wrestler remaining after the end of the first session Saturday.

Esplan earned a 4-2 decision over Tanner Mills of Kimball Area to advance to the consolation semi finals.

Esplan then used a takedown with eight seconds left to earn a 6-4 decision over Tanner Trembley of Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial to advance to the third place match against Hayden Rouser of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

In the 189 pound weight class, Seth Petranek saw his tournament run come to an end in the consolation quarterfinals as he lost a 10-2 major decision to Chad Matthees of Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

Consolation quarterfinals:

119 — Dustin Esplan (NRHEG) dec. Tanner Mills (Kimball Area) 4-2

189 — Chad Matthees (Zumbrota-Mazeppa) maj. dec. Seth Petranek (NRHEG) 10-2

Consolation semifinals:

119 — Dustin Esplan (NRHEG) dec. Tanner Trembley (Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial) 6-4