Cutline for front page lead in pic- Noah Casto gets set to start the match. Allen Hamrick photo.
By Allen Hamrick
The Panther wrestlers have ended their season on the mats at the State Wrestling Tournament held in Huntington over the past weekend. A family of a few came together as a unit to support the six Panther wrestlers who fought hard all year to be the best. Once again this season, the Panthers couldn’t get the numbers in the ranks to have a full team, but they went head to head all season.
It was a tough event as some of the finest wrestlers in this state butted heads in six minute intervals. The Panthers had some of those tough matches but wrestled in true Panther fashion… all out, all the time. Three of the Panthers put their name up in the history books placing in the top five wrestlers in the state.
Noah Casto was the only Panther wrestler to battle for the gold and came up just short of the title placing 2nd. Ethan Morris placed 4th and Zane Minger also placed 4th. The team, which included Casto, Minger and Morris along with James Sears, Caden Delwarte and Christian Bryant, did a good job as a whole placing 9th with 50 teams in the event. These six wrestlers have been in the hunt all year, are a credit to the Panther uniform and have made a permanent influence at CCHS.
Noah Casto and Ethan Morris will both graduate this year and move on to uncertain futures, as of right now, but will no doubt butt heads with it. They will be remembered on the mats as two of the best. The coaches and team wanted to give a special thanks to all of those who came in support this season, whether it was through social media or sitting in the stands watching it live. Congratulations to Noah, Ethan and Zane and all the wrestlers who competed. I am sure the next couple of years will likely see the Panther wrestling team back at the top of the food chain. Go Panthers!
With wrestling being the last winter sport to hibernate until next year, now starts the beginning of what looks to be a promising year at the track and on the diamond. All the teams appear stacked with talent as they get ready for some fun in the sun. The season starts in earnest for the CCHS track team on March the 18 at Roane County. The Lady Panthers start their season at Hoover, also on March 18th. Baseball starts on March the 17th away at Sherman High School. CCMS baseball will begin their season at home against Braxton on March 20th, and Lady Mustang softball will start away at Midland Trail on March 17th. CCMS track will begin on March 21st at Laidley Field in Charleston.
This season looks pretty good for spring sports so get out and support the teams.