Panthers, Miners do well

Saratoga, HEM grapplers see success over the weekend

Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School hosted three teams at the HEM Quad Tournament. Saratoga, Laramie and North Park, Colo. brought together teams to get experience on the mats as the season begins.

Saratoga Panthers

Saratoga Panthers brought eight wrestlers to the meet. Head coach Jared Mason was pleased with the showings of some of the younger wrestlers and glad his older wrestlers were gaining more experience.

"It was nice to see these young guys like Jakob (Hampton) get a win as a freshman," Mason said. "Slayd Daley got a couple wins and he is also freshman, so that feels good."

Mason was not worried some of his older wrestlers did not fare as well as some of the freshmen.

"We are waiting for our big guys to break out, and that will come because they keep working hard," Mason said. "The practices this week were strong and we hope to have a good week."

The Panthers were on a bus to Kremmling, Colo. for the West Grand Invitational that went from Dec. 20-21. There were 13 teams invited. Saratoga placed 11 with 43 points. Justin Shotwell garnered 22 points and placed third at 126. Daley came in third in the 120 poud weight class with 18 points. Ben Wagy got sixth place at 195 with three points.

The next scheduled meet is the Shane Shatto or New Year's Duals in Douglas or Wright on Jan. 4.

HEM Miners

Head coach Robert Riddle said he was happy with what his wrestlers were doing as he watched them in the HEM Quad.

"David (Cruz) looked really good tonight," Riddle said. "He pinned one opponent really quick."

Cruz wrestled in the 220 weight class.

Riddle had a wrestler who was first time on the mat. He said the 160 weight class is hard for experienced wrestlers.

"Andrew Scott was excellent for someone who had only wrestled in practice and tonight was his first time wrestling in match," Riddle said. "It was his first match ever and I was proud of what he did."

Riddle said a wrestler from last year looked much improved. He was talking about his wrestler who wrestled at 150 weight.

"Josh (Curtis) came out with a win right off the bat," Riddle said. "He did really well in the other matches that were really tough and he could do well this season."

His freshman that wrestled in the 120 weight class showed Riddle the practices were helping.

"Howard (Bame) was very good and probably had his best night," Riddle said. "He is getting better with every match."

Riddle said his lone female wrestler, Charlee Solass has strong determination every time she gets on the mat. She wrestles in the 126 and 132 weight class.

"She is out there battling all the time, getting better and better," Riddle said. "She just has to keep going and get her in the weight she is comfortable with."

HEM was another team at the West Grand Invitational. All of the teams were from Colorado with the exception of Saratoga and HEM. The invite had the Miners tested, but playing strong opponents made the Miners stronger as the season progresses according to Riddle.

Bame, Scott and freshman Tom Wagner, who wrestled at 126, scored points at the invite.

The next schedule match for the Miners is the Shane Shatto on Jan. 4.

 

Reader Comments(0)