Wresting 16 in Hanna

Friday and Saturday, Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School hosted the Carbon County Wrestling Invite. Last year over 20 teams attended the tournament but this year the invite had 16.

"I was surprised that Hulett, Mountain View and Sunrise were not here because it is usually to a team's benefit to come to a tournament like this," Zach Schmidt, Saratoga's head wrestling coach said. "This tournament is nicely placed for us to get one last attempt to see the caliber of what is needed to go into regionals."

Schmidt said the Carbon County Invite has a regional feel to it even though there were less schools than the year before.

Lyle Richardson, head wrestling coach for HEM, was impressed with the teams that did come to the tournament.

"The teams and quality of wrestlers that made the medal rounds was good," Richardson said. "Some of the teams are resting kids prior to Regional and State tourneys."

Richardson was happy with what his wrestlers showed him.

"Jon Nelsen had a couple rough draws after he got a bye in the first round," Richardson said. "Then he had to wrestle two time state champion Hayden Walker from Kemmerer."

Nelsen went 1-2 for the weekend.

Nick McDaniel pinned his first opponent and ended up 2-2.

"Nick is always a scrapper," Richardson said. "As he makes fewer mistakes, he will get better."

Richardson noted that Robbie Marta went up to wrestle at 132 pounds.

"Robbie went up in weight to test the waters," Richardson said. "He wrestled with intensity, but gave up too much in weight."

Richardson said Adrian King gets better with each match.

Richardson was happy to have Nathan Roberts wrestling again after a month off with injuries.

Schmidt understands losing wrestlers to injury and illness. At the Saratoga Wrestling Triangular on Feb. 2, he had only one wrestler healthy by the end of the evening. His team was hit hard by the flu.

Schmidt said his wrestlers were told for the Carbon County Invite to do their best and battle in each match, so he could film their weaknesses and strengths to help in their quest for wins in Regionals and State.

"The more they battle in a match, it gives us coaches a chance to prepare them for the matches that are postseason," Schmidt said.

He was happy with Justin Shotwell's performance at the tournament.

"Justin wrestled quality ranked kids, one being number one in the state," Schmidt said. "Justin came in third, but he just keeps getting better and better. This was probably the best I have ever seen him wrestle."

Schmidt also had praise for Caleb Bangs who went into the tournament with 12 straight match wins.

"Caleb wrestled well and he beat quality wrestlers," Schmidt said. "When he did lose, Caleb came back and didn't let it get him down."

Bangs came in third, and out of the last 17 matches, he has won 16.

Schmidt said Tristan Gray did well against the ranked opponents.

"Tristan had a tough draw," Schmidt said. "He is in one of the most competitive weight classes and does really well against so many ranked wrestlers.

Both coaches are preparing for Regionals next week.

HEM and Saratoga will go to Burns for 2-A East Regionals on Feb. 16.