Panther grapplers show well

By Mike Armstrong

Head Coach Jared Mason was pleased with the Panther wrestling team at their meet on Friday and Saturday.

“Overall the Panthers wrestled well at the Zach Parish Memorial dual tournament in Shoshoni,” Mason said. “Everyone wrestled with a lot of heart and gave their best effort throughout the day.”

The Panthers had seven wrestlers attend the event which featured 12 schools.

“With only seven wrestlers competing in a 14 weight line-up didn’t give us much of a chance for overall team wins, but we competed well; individually winning more than we lost.” Mason pointed out. “As a team we lost to Wind River, Powell JV and Shoshoni then wrestled back to beat Big Piney JV and a combined Wyoming Indian/Dubois team.”

Mason said Cale Mowry wrestled at 106, earned his first varsity win and finished with a 3-2 record on the day.

One Panther went undefeated.

“Jerry Everett wrestled very well at 120,” Mason said “He won all five of his matches during the tournament.”

A former state champion also had a good showing.

“Justin Shotwell continues to impress and compete with the best,” Mason said. “He finished 4-1 on the day, wrestling at 126 or bumping up to 132.”

Shotwell was not the only grappler to go 4-1 at the event.

“Slayd Daley shared 126/132 duties with Justin and had a very good day compiling a 4-1 record overall as well,” Mason said. “Kellen Reeder continues to battle at 170 and finished with a 3-2 mark.”

The two heavier wrestlers made the coach proud, too.

“At 195, Ben Wagy earned his first varsity win as well and was 2-3 on the day,” Mason said. “Kaden Hedley wrestled with the heart of a champion and finished with a 1-4 record overall.”

There was one Panther wrestler who went to another team.

“Jakob Hampton was an extra 126 pound wrestler for the Panthers who competed with a different team to get matches during the tournament,” Mason said. “He won an exciting overtime match against a Big Piney opponent to finish with a 1-3 record.”

The Panther coach had positive words for the future.

“I’m excited for what the rest of the year and the future holds for Saratoga Panthers wrestling,” Mason concluded.

The next scheduled event will be on January 17-18 in Pavillion for the Don Runner Invite.