The Panther wrestlers were on the road this past weekend in West Grand. The Panthers dueled a very tough Saratoga Wyoming squad Friday. The team competed but fell short 36-21. Those winning for the Panthers were Aydan Christian, Ronny Anderson, Izaiah Moody and Jaxon Torsell. On Saturday, the Panthers competed in the West Grand Invitational. The team wrestled well. Seven wrestlers placed in the tournament.
Christian led the way for the Panthers, posting an impressive 14-3 record and two tournament wins. Not to be outdone was senior Torsell, posting a 14-1 record with two tournament wins. Torsell also pinned the third-ranked wrestler in the state. Cameron Preciado continues to place well at tournaments placing second. He currently has an 11-3 record. First-year wrestler Ronny Anderson is just wrestling better each week. He pinned his way to the finals, but was defeated in the finals match to place second. Wyatt Stevens really didn’t wrestle to his ability this weekend. He had his opponents on their back but just could not secure the win. His coaches know his ability and will work on getting him there. Davon Lucero stepped up from 132 to 138 taking over the vacated spot from Kobey Chism who had season-ending shoulder surgery. Lucero has wrestled well as a freshman and giving up pounds he continues to place. Joesph Nickson had some very close matches this weekend. “J,” as we call him, lost in overtime his first match, won a very close second match and was defeated his third match. Nickson is another first-year wrestler who is improving each week. Landon Carlson had a good showing this weekend, placing third. When Carlson has confidence he is very tough, when he doubts his ability it’s tough on him. Moody also keeps placing high in tournaments, this week he placed second. The coaching staff thinks the championship match is a winnable match for Moody. His coaches think was “a little nerved-up wrestling the kid from Buena Vista.”
The Panthers are giving up five weights because of injuries or eligibility issues. The team placed fourth behind Buena Vista, Saratoga and West Grand and are off until the New Year when they hope to get some wrestlers back on the mat for the rest of the season.
Seven Panthers placed in the West Grand Invitational, led by Aydan Christian posting a 14-3 record and senior Jaxon Torsell posting 14-1. Both had two tournament wins.
