The Panther grapplers began the wrestling weekend by competing in Walden on Thursday against Soroco and North Park. It was a tune-up for the upcoming weekend tournament, and the Panthers had a good showing. Ace Arnold, Josiah Stockwell, and Douglass Campbell all were 1 – 0. Tuker Carricato was 2 – 0, Chase Brown went 1 -1, and both Ben Miller and Atom Linsey were 0 – 2 on the evening.
The team then traveled to Pavillion on Friday for the Don Runner Memorial, and had a long day of wrestling as the tournament was condensed to a single day due to the weather. The Panthers competed well, especially Tuker Carricato who added to his unblemished record and is now 16 – 0. Carricato took home the 1st place trophy at 132 pounds. He has also distinguished himself by only allowing opponents one takedown against him all season.
The team is beginning to compete against some of the top wrestlers in their respective weight classes, and there were several such matchups last weekend. Unfortunately, the Panthers didn’t come out on top of those matches. Coach Rusty Arnold stated, ‘we have to minimize mistakes and can’t be afraid to be the offensive wrestler on a highly ranked kid.’ The practice plan for this week will include, ‘a lot of takedown setups and awareness.’ The coaching staff plans to drill extensively on some common mistakes they witnessed last weekend.
In addition to losing a few matches due to critical mistakes, the Panthers are also dealing with a good amount of sickness and a few injuries. Therefore, Arnold will spend the week focusing on getting the team ready ‘in mind and body, and continue to work on our mental toughness.’ Rusty again reiterated that his ultimate goal is the State tournament in February. ‘Every tournament we wrestle until State is just practice,’ Arnold commented.
At 106 pounds, Ace Arnold lost to Delacruz from Lovell, but came back to pin Solaas (HEM) and then he beat Branson Thompson from Shoshoni by decision to secure 3rd place.
Josiah Stockwell represented SMHS at 113 pounds. He beat Posey from Wyoming Indian, and pinned HEM’s Clark before falling to Landon Rhyne from Wind River in the semifinals. Stockwell then had wins over Gardner from Wind River and Shoshoni’s Brody Shepard to also win 3rd place.
Ben Miller was matched up against 3A opponents in both of his 120 pound matches. He lost the first to Quiver from Lander Valley, and he eventually lost his second match by decision to Carpenter of Lander.
In the 132 pound class, Chase Brown lost his first match to Price from Thermopolis, but had a strong showing in his second with a major decision over Brown from Greybull/Riverside. He then succumbed in his final match to Strickland from Riverton by fall.
Also at 132, Carricato brought home the 1st place trophy by beating Christenson from Lovell, followed by Blair from Thermopolis. Tuker then beat Price from Thermopolis in the semifinals. His final victory was a major decision against 3A’s Landon Jones from Lander Valley.
Wrestling in the 138 bracket, Skyler Wood started the tournament with a victory over Preetorius from Greybull/Riverside. Wood’s next match was a loss against Bassett from Rocky Mountain. Skyler split his final two matches, beating Withrow from Riverton before falling to Basse from Thermopolis in the consolation semifinals.
Douglass Campbell lost his first match at 165 against Sixberry from Wind River. Campbell was unable to wrestle for the rest of the tournament.
Wrestling at 215, Atom Linsey had a strong showing that resulted in fourth place. He lost first to Riverton’s Watson, but then beat Perry from Wyoming Indian. In the 3rd/4th place match, Linsey fought hard but eventually lost to C’Hair from Wyoming Indian.
The upcoming Lander tournament is a great tournament as the team prepares for Ron Thon at the end of the month. Lander will host thirty teams, including many 3A and 4A schools, so the competition will be fierce.
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