Mason has flawless weekend

After starting the season plagued with illness, Hunter Mason had a flawless weekend taking the top podium spot at 120 lbs.

“I’m pretty excited and nervous,” Mason said before his finals match. “This is my first time being in the finals of the Carbon County Invite. I’m really nervous for my opponent and I’m going to try my best.”

The Carbon County Invite took place last weekend and Saratoga finished fifth as a team in the 18-team field.

The Saratoga grapplers that participated this weekend included Bradley Bifano, Daynon Mowry, Chaze Wiant, Thatcher Spiering, Hunter Mason, Lionzo Escobedo, Tate Stinson, Marshal Hill, Levi Weatherd, Jacob Wells and Hazer Hinkle.

Daynon Mowry and Bradley Bifano wrestled one another for third and fourth places in the 106 lbs. weight division, with Mowry edging out Bifano.

Thatcher Spiering at 120 lbs., Tate Stinson at 138 lbs. and Jacob Wells at 220 lbs. all finished fifth in their weight classes.

Lionzo Escobedo was a fourth place finisher for the Panther team with a tough decision loss in his final match for third and fourth.

The team from Hanna-Elk Mountain-Medicine Bow (HEM) also placed three of their grapplers and took 10th in the team totals.

Rylie Richardson took the fourth place spot at 152 lbs. Richardson won three matches and dropped two in the tournament.

R.J. Seaman took second place at 182 lbs. after an injury kept him from wrestling for first place.

Justin Irene rounded out HEM’s placers taking third in the heavyweight division.

The senior wrestlers, and the senior team manager were honored with their parents on the mats between rounds on Saturday.

Lionzo “The Buzz Saw” Escobedo, Levi “Stone Cold” Weatherd and Luke Lineberry were all recognized for Senior day at the tournament.

The regional tournament will be held in Wright this weekend, followed by the state meet in Casper on Feb. 22 and 23.