ST. PAUL — New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva’s Dustin Esplan scored a takedown with eight seconds left in overtime Saturday, as Esplan defeated Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City’s Hayden Rouser to finish in third place in the 119 weight class at the Class A individual state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Rouser had Esplan’s leg with 11 seconds to go in overtime and both were near the edge of the mat.

Esplan then quickly got his leg free and scored a takedown with 8 seconds left for the third place finish.

“He had a great tournament,” NRHEG coach Paul Cyr said. “I’m so proud of him. ”

Esplan said he entered the tournament just hoping to medal.

” I was just hoping to medal,” Esplan said. “But to finish third is great, its wonderful.”

After a day like Saturday, Esplan says that all the hard work put into this season was worth it.

“After a day like today, all of the work I put into this season is worth it.” Esplan said.

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

Third place match

119 — Dustin Esplan (NRHEG) dec. Hayden Rouser (Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City) 4-2 OT