Panther wrestling returns experience, skill

The Saratoga wrestling squad is tough, experienced and skilled.

You can't ask for any more than that.

After a seventh-place finish and six individual medalists at the state tournament, head coach Jared Mason expects another fantastic performance from his wrestlers this year.

"It should be exciting, I am looking forward to it," he said.

The opening days of the season are focused on conditioning. With the late Dec. 1 start to the season, Mason said it is important for his wrestlers to be on par with their opponents in Colorado (who started wrestling several weeks before them) during their opening tournaments. But Mason said his wrestlers have accepted the challenge.

"These guys want to get better, they want to get in shape and that is half the battle," Mason said. "If you have kids who want to be there, who want to learn, who want to work hard, then you can find success."

The Panthers will focus on working from their feet this season. The first week was spent working on hand fighting and take-downs. Mason believes as long as his wrestlers are able to take their opponent down and escape from the bottom, his team will have success this season.

"Right now it's been positive, I like their effort," Mason said. "We seem to be a little further along so its kind of nice to be able to go in and do a little bit of wrestling early."

Saratoga returns five out of the six individual placers at the state tournament from last year. Included in this group are junior Daynon Mowry (120) and senior Hunter Mason (126), who both finished third at the 2014 state tournament; sophomore Thomas Ingraham (145), who placed fourth last year at 120 and last year's fifth-place finishers in senior Chaze Wiant (132) and junior Thatcher Spiering (152). Jared Mason also expects a great season out of junior Bradley Bifano (132).

"Practice wise, our guys are competing against state placers constantly as they rotate around the room," Mason said

The stacked Saratoga Panther lineup does not come without drawback. While the Panthers are able to fill their lineup in weights 106 through 160, they currently do not have any wrestlers to fill the 170, 195, 220 or heavyweight spot. However, Mason says the competition within the weight classes will help lead their team to success this year.

"We might have weight classes where there are two very competitive guys in the same class." Mason said.

Mason hopes his wrestlers can be successful on and off the mat this year. Last year, his son Hunter received WyoWrestling's academic all-state honors. Mason wants more of his wrestlers to get on that list this year.

The Panthers begin their season Friday at the Soroco Duel/Invite in Oak Creek, Colo.