Miners grapplers gaining experience

The wrestling coaches at Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School were pleased with their grapplers this weekend when they went to Torrington on Saturday.

Both Head Coach Robert Riddle and Assistant Coach McKean (Mac) Madsen were impressed with MaKaylee Widdison, who is one of two female wrestlers on the team.

“MaKaylee looked very good,” Riddle said. “She has dropped to 106 pounds and is much more competitive. She went 2-0 for the dual.”

“She has been wrestling great this season,” Madsen agreed. “Just her style is excellent to watch for never wrestling before.”

The other female wrestler on the team, Charlee Solaas, also has both coaches’ admiration.

“Charlee is a go getter.  She works hard and never quits,” Riddle said. “An injury hampered her success rate this weekend, but she never gave up.”

Madsen said he has seen major improvement this year.

“Last year she seemed to struggle in her matches, but this year, I feel like she is in all her matches,” Madsen said. “She is in a weight class that is difficult at 132. This is a weight many experienced wrestlers are in. She is a great leader and has excellent spirit.”

Thomas Wagner made the coaches proud going 3-1 at Torrington.

“Thomas did well this weekend,” Riddle said. “He seemed to turn a corner and is being much more aggressive in his matches.” 

Madsen agreed with the head coach’s assessment.

“Tom really turned it on and he is in a tough weight class at 138,” Madsen said. “His confidence came back. That kid works hard all the time. He sets a great example for everybody.” 

Howard Bame doesn’t disappoint the HEM coaches on the mat.

“Howard has a “no quit” attitude. He always works hard and goes after it,” Riddle said. “He is in between weights and giving up several pounds. makes it a bit harder to compete.”

Madsen said Bame is a competitor although he wrestled in a tough weight class at 120. 

“He puts in effort all the time,” Madsen said. “You can never count him out. He has come a long ways for just being a sophomore this year.”

The smallest wrestler, Anthony Solaas, weighs 91 pounds and wrestles at 106 is giving it his all just like he did in football this year.

“Anthony wrestled well, with a ton of heart but giving up 15 pounds is difficult to compete,” Riddle said.

Madsen reinforced Riddle’s words.

“He has a disadvantage when it comes to pounds, but he makes up for in his speed, quickness and he’s pretty technical,” Madsen said. “You can never count him out either.”

Madsen said he was pleased with the duals at Torrington and looks forward to this weekend in Burns where they will compete in duals again.