CHANUTE, Kan. – The Neosho County Panthers moved up to spots to No. 9 in the latest NJCAA poll following their third place finish at the Kansas Cup. Despite a season low four wrestlers ranked in the individual rankings, the No. 9 ranking is the teams highest of the year.
 
"I think the rankings are pretty accurate now that the regular season is over," commented Wayne Petterson. "We moved up from 11^th to 9^th with only four guys ranked, however those 4 have earned pretty high rankings and that is why we moved up."
 
Tim Prescott has held the No. 2 ranking at 125 pounds all season despite a 10 week layoff due to injury. Prescott returned to the mat with a second place finish at the Kansas Cup and proved that the layoff didn't affect his performance.
 
Lemuel Johnson has steadily climbed the rankings at 133 pounds and holds his No. 2 ranking in the latest poll is his highest of the season. Johnson has been dominant in his freshman campaign, leading the Panthers in wins (22) and pins (15).
 
After sitting out the first semester, O'Shea Smith-Traylor has quickly climbed the rankings at 165 pounds. After moving into the rankings for the first time at No. 10 in the last poll, Smith-Traylor has moved all the way up to No. 4 following his championship at the Kansas Cup.
 
Dillon Archer has also continued to move up the rankings and boasts his highest ranking of the year at No. 7 in the latest ranking. Archer is currently second on the team with 20 wins and finished third at the Kansas Cup last month.
 
"We only have the four guys ranked, but we have a few more that are right on the brink of getting there and we like that. Regionals are next Saturday and obviously they can make their life a little more agreeable by doing well there to establish their draw in the national's bracket."
 
The Panthers will next be in action February 15 at the West/Central District Tournament at Labette Community College.