Panther grapplers place two at CC Invite

The Saratoga Panthers hosted the Carbon Invite on Friday and Saturday where 18 teams put forth their best efforts as the season gets ready to close. The Panthers had six wrestlers compete and two placed.

"It is a good tournament to have before regionals because it is a tune up with a lot of 2A teams and it has some serious seedings implications on the line," Head coach Zach Schmidt said. "You see a lot of kids go at it strong like it is regionals or state because it can mean where you are in a bracket."

Jerry Everett, who wrestled in the 113 weight class, faced what Schmidt said might be the deepest weight class in the state. He said J. Everett wrestled well and is in the hunt to get on the podium in state.

"He wrestled well against the Big Piney kid," Schmidt said. "But for Jerry to be on the podium, this is kid that Jerry is going to have to win. So the next couple weeks that is going to be the match we prep him for."

His brother Andrew Everett wrestled excellent in the 138 weight class and Schmidt said, A. Everett had been one round away from placing.

"We have some things to work with him on this week, but I think he sits in a fairly decent position," Schmidt said. "He is close to being where he wants to be, but it will still take work."

Schmidt said his freshman John Powell did outstanding in a weight class that is dominated by seniors. Powell wrestles at 145 weight class. Like A. Everett, Powell was only one round from placing at the Invite.

"He wrestled really well," Schmidt said. "He just faces experienced wrestlers and that does make a difference."

Kaden Hedley wrestled against Tristan Gray in the weight class of 195 and lost to his teammate. He lost to a Southeast wrestler after that.

"We are going to try and move him out of Tristan's weight class, probably at 220," Schmidt said. "He is strong kid so he could do well in that weight."

He was happy Gray and Trez Martinez both placed at 5th.

"Tristan has put himself in pretty good place after this weekend," Schmidt. "I think Tristan is the sixth best wrestler in the state right now, but he is going to have to show up."

He said though some kids might drop out of 195 weight because it has two past state champions, Gray wants to stay in that class and compete.

Martinez impressed Schmidt by placing 5th in the 132 weight class after not wrestling since Jan. 10.

Martinez will lean down to the 126 weight class and Schmidt thinks the chances are good the grappler will go deep in regionals as long as he stays healthy.

"If we can keep that shoulder healthy, he stands to go far," Schmidt said.

Schmidt said now it time to get ready for post season.

"We have to kick up the intensity a little bit so the kids will peak right about now," Schmidt said. "We have to be careful not get kids hurt this week and make sure we have good practices."

The regionals for the Panthers will be in Wright on Feb 15-16.