Saratoga grapplers take 3rd at regionals

All 11 Saratoga Panther matmen who competed in the 2A East Regional Championships on Friday earned the right to contend for a State Championship title.

The team boasted individual championships in the 113 and 195 pound classes, along with two third place and three fourth place finishes. The combined efforts of the Panther team resulted in 3rd place overall, behind Moorcroft and Lingle-Ft. Laramie/Southeast (LFL/SE).

Several wrestlers for Saratoga returned from injury and illness for the tournament. Seth Stephens and Skyler Wood, however, were unable to compete due to injury.

The tournament started with freshman Anthony Campbell (19-8 record). Campbell returned from illness to secure a stand on the podium. He won his first match by fall over Evan Fowler (Hulett), but in his second he lost a major decision versus Kade Haynes of Moorcroft. The next bout had Campbell beating Gideon Boyd (LFL/SE) by decision for entry into the consolation finals against Anthony Solaas (Hanna). The tough battle for 3rd place went to overtime, with Campbell falling to Solaas as the clock ran out. Campbell placed fourth.

Saratoga's 113 pound contestant, Josiah Stockwell (19-8), was also back on the mat for the Panthers after recovering from an injury. Stockwell won the first individual championship for the team. He started with a fall against Kaeden Smith from Tongue River, and his championship win was by decision over Grady Longwell from Glenrock.

In the 120-pound class, Tuker Carricato (26-8) placed fourth for the Panthers. His first match was a win by decision over Shane Hannah of Moorcroft. Wyitt Knight (Wright) then beat Carricato by fall. Tuker won his consolation semifinal match by injury default against Karter Mayberry from Sundance, only to have to medically forfeit his third place match to Kaden Haynes from Moorcroft.

Sophomore Allyster Ingraham (37-6) fought his way to third place in the 126-pound bracket. His trek began with a win by fall over Clay Willy from Niobrara County. In the quarterfinals, Ingraham had another fall against Trey Breen (Tongue River), but he lost by fall to Wyatt Sylvester (LFL/SE) in the semifinals. Ingraham continued by pinning Wyatt Pennington (Moorcroft), and he brought home third place by beating Jayden Keller from Sundance by fall in the consolation championship.

Senior Slayd Daley (17-8) was up next at 145 pounds. His first match was a win by fall against H.E.M.'s Samuel Ramirez. Daley was pinned in the semis by Louden Bremer (LFL/SE), but recovered in his next match by pinning Justen Foster from Hulett. Daley lost by decision in the consolation finals to Tucker Edwards from Wright. Daley placed fourth.

The 170-pound bracket once again saw action from senior Silas Vannett (17-16) and junior Douglass Campbell (7-12). Vannett's first loss was in the quarterfinals versus Carter Blevins (LFL/SE). He then beat Gavin Mollenbrink (Sundance) by decision, which set up a battle against teammate Campbell. Campbell began the tournament with a loss by fall to James Long from Moorcroft. The following match was a win by fall over Truck Lowrey (Moorcroft). Next, Campbell and Vannett had a solid match against one another, but Campbell prevailed and moved on to eventually lose by fall in the consolation semifinals to Jacob Brown (Tongue River).

Saratoga senior Kellen Reeder (10-8) represented the team in the 182-pound class. He lost his first match by fall to Wyatt Allred (Moorcroft), and also lost by fall to Taylor Swartwood (LFL/SE).

Quade Jordan (28-7) won an individual title at 195 pounds. Both of Jordan's matches were wins by fall. His first pin was against Connor Curry (LFL/SE) and Jordan won the 195-pound title against Blake Miller (Niobrara).

The 285-pound bracket had two wrestlers from Saratoga, Lane Robinson (8-21), and senior Ben Wagy (14-11). Robinson lost both his matches by fall. His first contest was against Christian Reilly from Hulett, and in his second he fought against Wagy. Ben Wagy placed third after losing his initial match versus Case Barrett (Glenrock). After defeating teammate Robinson, Wagy won by medical forfeit over Emmett Coxbill (LFL/SE).

The State Championship tournament will be held in Casper on February 24th and 25th. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. at the Ford Wyoming Center.