Panthers make All Conference, All State

Basketball season may be over, but four Saratoga Middle High School (SMHS) student athletes still have something to celebrate. Two Saratoga Panthers and a Lady Panther have been named to the 1A Southwest All-Conference list and one Saratoga Panther has been nominated 1A All-State.

Saratoga Panthers

Sam Schneider, junior, and Nate Rimmer, senior, were both nominated to the 2018 1A Southwest All Conference list. This is Schneider's second year in a row making the list and Rimmer's first.

"It feels really good," said Schneider, "just pleased to get it two years in a row. A big goal next year is going to All State."

Not only is this Rimmer's first year being nominated to All Conference, but it is his first year playing basketball in Wyoming.

"It's pretty cool that my first year playing here to get something like that," said Rimmer.

"Big credit to the coaches and to the fans who are there every night supporting us," said Schneider

"I think we have the best fanbase in 1A to be honest. Our fans are crazy," said Rimmer.

This is Gage Bartlett's third year being nominated to 1A All State Basketball. Bartlett has already had a banner year having broke the 1,000 point record halfway through the basketball season.

"I definitely would put this as a successful career," said Bartlett "I made it to state twice and won consolation both times. Not many kids get to do that."

Bartlett also wanted to thank the coaches as well as his parents.

"They've been getting me to the gym all summer long, pushing me to the weight room," Bartlett said.

Saratoga Lady Panthers

Mychaela Jackman was the one Lady Panther who was nominated to 1A Southwest All Conference for girls basketball for 2018.

"It feels pretty good," said Jackman, a junior, "I feel like it's a great honor to get All Conference."

Jackman was the only junior on the team who had varsity experience from the year before and the Lady Panthers looked to her for leadership this season.

"Last year I wasn't really a leader because we had a lot of seniors," said Jackman, "It feels good to step up and have people to look up to you. It's a big role to take on."

Jackman thanked her teammates and her coaches for getting her to being nominated and encouraging her. She also thanked her parents for supporting her throughout her season.

"We were a young team this year, but next year we're going to have a lot more experience and hopefully make it to regionals," said Jackman.