Depleted Panther wresting team competes in Lander

The SMHS wrestling squad traveled to Lander last weekend, missing much of it’s squad, to compete in both a varsity and JV tournament. According to coach Rusty Arnold, ‘Injury has been following us around the last couple weeks. We only traveled with five kids due to injury.’ The team should have more wrestlers return for this weekend’s Ron Thon tournament in Riverton, dependent upon medical clearance.

Two wrestlers were entered in the Lander varsity tournament, Ace Arnold at 106, and Josiah Stockwell at 113. Both wrestlers brought home a 6th place medal. Coach Arnold stated that it ‘wasn’t the outcome the coaches or athletes wanted, but at the same time it highlighted some mistakes.’ The coaching staff prefers a win, but they also acknowledge a ‘good loss’ as it can be a ‘humbling, teachable moment and will drive effort and focus for the future.’

Ace Arnold won 6th place in the varsity 106-pound bracket. He lost his first match in overtime to Vendetti of Green River, but then won his next three matches in the wrestle backs. (Decision 5-1 over Nuss (Powell); tech fall over Cyrus (Dubois); and fall over Myers (Thermopolis). Arnold then lost to Big Piney’s Caleb Brown in the consolation semifinals. He had a rematch against Vendetti, but lost a close decision to secure 6th place.

The other varsity wrestler for the weekend was Josiah Stockwell, who also won 6th place. At 113 pounds, Stockwell won by fall over Laramie’s Ponce, but lost his next match against Sanchez from Big Piney. Josiah next won against Griffiths (Rawlins) and Musbach (Green River) before losing a close match in overtime to Whiting from Powell. The final match of the tournament had him again wrestle Sanchez, where he lost by decision for a 6th place finish.

Three Panther wrestlers competed in the Lander JV tournament, Benjamin Miller at 126; Chase Brown at 132, and Atom Linsey at 215. Linsey, an SMHS junior, took home the first-place medal in the tournament. Coach Arnold commented that, ‘Atom is a first-year wrestler and stepped up big,’ while ‘making leaps and bounds in wrestling.’ Arnold also mentioned that the JV tournament is an all-class competition and that freshman Miller and Brown faced tough opponents. They will be working this week on refining moves and committing to offense. Both of these freshmen have good attitudes and work hard every week on improving.

Atom Linsey’s march through the 215-pound bracket was highlighted by pinning every opponent. He beat Emmett (Powell), Sandoval (Lyman), Walker (Mountain View), and finally Lamberti (Lyman) for the top spot on the podium.

Ben Miller succumbed in his first match to Sorrells from Grean River, and then lost a heartbreaking sudden victory overtime loss to Strain from Laramie. Chase Brown won his first match by fall over Moore from Cokeville, but lost his next two bouts to Schubert and then Deming, both wrestlers from Cody.

This weekend features the Ron Thon tournament in Riverton, which is arguably the toughest tournament of the year. It hosts approximately 40 teams from all classifications and multiple states. Many Wyoming wrestling aficionados consider Ron Thon a greater tournament than state due to the all-class nature of the competition. Hotels in Riverton are full for this years and even next year’s tournaments. A hotel manager commented, ‘if we took reservations beyond next year, we would be full then, too.’

The Saratoga Panthers are gearing up for this final January challenge, and Coach Arnold wants a tough week of practice in order to hit the mat ‘with determination to prove that a small 1A school has kids that can compete anywhere at a high level.’