Grapplers prevail with limited numbers

The Saratoga grapplers traveled to Lingle to compete in the Dogger Invitational held Friday and Saturday. The flu bug and lambing season reduced the Panther’s squad and with only eight competing, the wrestlers were under-staffed for the invite. The Panthers placed five wrestlers individually, and took seventh as a team overall out of 18 teams listed.

Lionzo Escobedo and Thatcher Spiering both took first place in their weight classes. At 120 lbs., Spiering pinned three opponents and took a major decision for four wins on the weekend.

Escobedo won the 132-lb. weight class with two pins and two decisions. Escobedo also earned wrestler of the week in the Panthers locker room.

Tate Stinson, wrestling at 138 lbs. took third on the weekend. Stinson pinned two opponents and won two decisions. With one loss on the weekend, Stinson still finished the invite with a podium appearance.

Hunter Mason, who took fourth at 120 lbs., had two pins and two losses in the tournament on his way to the podium.

Bradley Bifano, wrestling at 106 lbs., Rounded out the top finishers for the Panther team. Bifano pinned three other wrestlers and won an 11-3 decision. Bifano gave up two losses but the effort was still enough to take fifth place on the weekend.

Three other Panther grapplers wrestled but couldn’t find a spot on the podium.

Daynon Mowery had two pins, but fell short of placing with two losses in the competition. Mowery lost by pin in his first match, but turned around and pinned that same kid later in the wrestle-back brackets.

Marshal Hill also had a win in the competition followed by Hazer Hinkle who unfortunately could not find a win on the weekend.

Up next for the Panther squad is a Quadrangular at home Thursday and then the squad travels to Greybull Saturday. The Panthers will host Hanna-Elk Mountain-Medicine Bow, Walden, Rawlins and Laramie in the Panther Den at 5:30 p.m. Thursday for one of two home matches this season.