Good week marred

Saratoga Head Wrestling Coach Zach Schmidt was pleased with his wrestlers' performances on Jan. 23, when the Panthers hosted Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) and North Park from Walden. On Friday and Saturday, he was elated with his team at the Ron Thon Memorial in Riverton.

"It is the 'Iron Man' of wrestling matches before regionals and state," Schmidt said. "Out of 46 six teams in Wyoming, 42 attended, meaning the best wrestlers are all there."

He put his wrestlers in JV matches with the exception of Jaxon King, who wrestled varsity.

"The JV of these teams have players ranked in the state," Schmidt said. "These wrestlers in JV are great and many could be varsity."

The fact the caliber is so high in JV made Schmidt proud of his team's finish at seventh out of 42 teams.

"My heart swells, not to sound cliche," Schmidt said. "Every one of my wrestlers had a win and we had nine wrestlers go into Saturday's matches, which was more than any other team that attended."

Schmidt said it was the best he had seen his wrestlers do.

"I told them to go out aggressive and get a hot start," Schmidt said.

That is what all the wrestlers did and some had amazing results.

"Caleb Bangs, at 113, who pinned all seven opponents and Justin Shotwell, at 106, won their weights, beating many ranked wrestlers in the state," Schmidt said. "Kagan Gilbert came in fifth and was two seconds away from being in the championship and he beat four ranked wrestlers. He was the only freshman to go Saturday."

Schmidt said Gilbert had been hurt earlier and he was proud of what his wrestler overcame to win.

"Tristan Gray, at 160, was the best I have ever seen and he came in fourth." Schmidt said. "It was great to watch and I can say there nine guys who have soaring confidence thanks to Ron Thon."

The Panther coach did have one bad thing happen at the Ron Thon.

King had to forfeit because of a hamstring injury and was out on Friday.

"Jaxon did well in the first two periods of his first match, the third period he was in pain," Schmidt said. Not willing to risk his senior's chances at regionals and state, Schmidt pulled King from the Ron Thon.

"It was hard to do, but we have to look at the future for Jaxon," Schmidt said. "We are taking his injury week by-week."

The next meet, which will honor the military, is at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 at Saratoga High School.

"It is a military appreciation night," Schmidt said. "We are encouraging all veterans to attend our meet."

In addition to military appreciation night, it is also senior night where the upperclassmen will be honored.

Schmidt made one request to all supporters who show up. He wants them to wear black.

"We are having blackout night, so if everyone is wearing black and we turn out the lights, it will be so dark, we hope it will be cool experience for the wrestlers to hear the fans as they wrestle, but not see them."