NTL WRESTLING: NEB HAS MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN A DECADE (March 16, 2026)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Five years ago NEB boys wrestling had a roster of just three, but in 2025-2026 the Panthers their best season in the last decade as they sported a winning record, qualified for district duals, and had a state qualifier.

“Our season started off strong as a dual team and started to level out as numbers and injuries hit us,” said NEB coach Curt Cole. “We still managed to qualify for District duals with a 11-6 overall record and sometimes giving up, at times, five forfeits. We won the Hughesville Spartan duals going 6-0. We took second at the South Williamsport Tournament, 12th at Districts and 19th at Regionals. We had six qualify for Districts and three for regionals with one ending up with a state birth.”

The Panthers opened with a 44-18 win over Montrose, then followed that up with a 46-18 victory against NP-Liberty.

At the Hughesville Duals they rolled past everybody but the hosts by double digits, then eked out a 26-24 win over the Spartans to claim the tournament title to start the year 8-0, and be the first team to qualify for the team postseason.

They fell to Wyalusing (42-25) after that, but bounced back with a win over Troy (39-21).

They had a couple hard fought losses to Towanda (39-26) and Williamson (35-30), but then topped Central Columbia (40-27).

By mid-January they were hit by the injury bug as they fell to Athens (45-17) and Canton (44-29), but ended the year on a high note with a win over Wellsboro (45-12).

“Mason Alexander was 31-8 on the season, ending his career with 111 wins and a regional qualifier,” said Cole. “Hunter Comstock was 28-14 and a regional qualifier, Alex Gomez was 26-14 and one win from a regional birth. Connor Eastabrook was 18-16 and was a district qualifier. Kale Howland was 29-9 and a district qualifier. Asher Kolesar was 27-12 and a state qualifier as just a freshman.”

They also lose fellow seniors Ben Ellis and Russell Martin, whose seasons were shortened due to injury.

Going forward they’ll have some rebuilding to do, but have a good start with Kolesar and Howland coming back.

“Lots to be proud of this season,” said Cole. “Hopefully we get some kids to out some extra in during the off season and keep trying to build and improve.”

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