Gladstone youth wrestler Elliott Pankonien stands with a collection of medals he has earned during his career. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — It was an ordinary day at practice for Gladstone youth baseball. Except for Elliott Pankonien, then 6-years old, who found a passion for a sport that day.

But it wasn’t baseball.

Sure, Pankonien admits he still loves baseball. But the sports he keeps on an even pedestal is what he discovered after that practice.

Wrestling.

After practice wrapped up, teammates Abel and Benson Ellison started wrestling around spontaneously, like any 6 year old does. But in that impromptu and friendly scuffle Abel and Benson’s father, Dave Ellison asked Elliott’s dad offered Eliott the chance to try a wrestling practice. They took the offer, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Pankonien not only fit in like a Nike glove on the left hand of Tiger Woods, but was a natural at the sport.

“It all came together quickly for him,” coach Dan Belanger said. “He’s extremely competitive and he’s long on the mat, has great leverage with hands and feet and has the speed and agility to match.”

Elliott, now 10, has found a plethora of success on the mat while still maintaining his love for baseball. He described both sports as a tie between wrestling and baseball for the title of his favorite sport.

“I enjoy getting to compete and wrestle,” Pankonien said. “It’s fun and something I really enjoy.”

Pankonien has posted a record of 79-4 over his first four years of wrestling, 39 via pinfall, and finished second in the state at the MYWAY championship in 2023 and in 2024. Pankonien had a trio of 20-win streaks during his young wrestling career and owns a pair of 19 second pins over Vance Goldsch and Hadley Fortier.

While Pankonien is finding his way in the world of wrestling, it does come with the appropriate cautiousness of a parent.

“I’m always a little nervous when he goes out to compete,” Pankonien’s mom Nikki Martin said. “I am happy he found a sport he likes and enjoys.”