The beginning to the 2013-2014 wrestling season is right around the corner. The Neosho County Panthers will open the season with a busy schedule as they will face three weigh-ins in only four days.
The season will kick off Saturday (Nov. 2) evening when they host Northwest Technical College at 6:00 PM. The Mavericks, out of Goodland, Kansas, are an upcoming program who competes in the Panthers region.
After the season opener Saturday night, the Panthers will have a quick turn around when they head to Baldwin City for the Baker University Open. They will then have a day to recover before getting back on the mat when they host two more regional opponents, Arkansas Baptist College and Wentworth Military Academy Tuesday (Nov. 5) afternoon at 2:00 pm.
"This will be a good test for our guys," said head coach Wayne Petterson. "We are ready for competition outside our room."
The Panthers lineup for the week is headlined by sophomore Tim Prescott who was an All-American as a freshman. The only other sophomore for the Panthers will be transfer Austin Warren who was a national qualifier last season while wrestling at Rend Lake College.
"Our lineup is set at about 6-8 weights but we are battling some injuries and sickness, but that is part of the game. We have to bring what we have and be prepared for situations all the time, including the beginning of the season."
The Panthers are looking to do something never done in the history of the program this season. The Panthers have had a national champion in each of the past two seasons (Jeff Vesta-2012, and Le'Roy Barnes-2013). A national title this season would be the first time the program has won one in three consecutive seasons.
"I know this might sound pretty darn bold, but we really like what we have brought together. Every time out for us at home this year is an opportunity for our followers and wrestling enthusiasts to see, what we believe, are several national contenders."
The Panthers will lineup like this for their opening week of matches:
125 Tim Prescott (So) McPherson, KS
133 Lemuel Johnson (Fr) Waynesville, KS
141 Alex Shea (FR) Columbia, MO or Jared Suppes (Fr) Derby, KS
149 Alex Shea (FR) or Jared Suppes
157 Issac Salinas (Fr) Dallas, TX
165 Malik Colding (Fr) Kansas City, MO
174 JJ Filipek (Fr) Warrenton, MO
184 Austin Warren (So) Newburgh, IN
197 Dillon Archer (Fr) Newton, KS
285 Tommy Andrews (So) Dodge City, KS
