Kirby Symes was the wrestling coach at Ellsworth High School for 19 years. During that time he won 142, lost 30 and tied 2. Ten of those losses were in 2 years. His panthers won 37 different team titles. That same record includes 8 of 11 Ellsworth Invitational titles, 8 of 14 Middle Border Conference Titles, 12 of 14 Regional titles and 4 Sectional titles. His wrestlers have captured 65 Conference Championships, 85 Regional titles, 24 Sectional titles and 5 State Championships. Out of 24 State Tournament Entries, Kirby has placed 10 boys. While being a permanent resident of the State Tournament from 1961 until his retirement from coaching, he was also matchmaker for the 1975 N.A.I.A. Tournament, and is a color announcer for WIXK - New Richmond for the 1976-77 Conference, Regional and Sectional Tourneys. Ten of Kirby's former wrestlers are coaching in Minnesota or Wisconsin. As an official, he was instrumental in starting the Pierce-St. Croix Officials Association and was responsible for conducting one of the first officials clinics in the state. Kirby Symes passed away in 2014.