Wrestling | 1/19/2015 9:55:00 AM

MIAMI, Okla, - The Neosho Panthers upset bid of No. 4 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M came up short as the Norsemen held of the No. 15 ranked Panthers for a 28-15 win.
 
The Panthers got off to a great start with a win by Dylan Linsendbardt. Trailing 5-2 with less than 20 seconds left in the match, Linsenbardt scored a reversal and a near fall to pick up his first win of the semester 6-5.
 
NEO grabbed control of the match with three straight wins at 133, 141, and 149 pounds. Austin Hood fell to No. 4 ranked Josh Ailey in a thrilling match. Ailey scored all 8 of his points in the second period only to see Hood come storming back in the third period. Hood couldn't overcome the deficit however falling 8-7.
 
After Alex Shea lost by fall in the third period, Bryce Hood dropped a close decision to extend the NEO lead to 12-3. Hood just ran out of time after a slow start but the clock expired with him in scoring position trailing 8-6.
 
Back to back wins from Ryne Cokeley and Colton Looper pulled Neosho within 3 points with four matches to go. Cokeley beat returning All-American Mark Hobson 13-10 after jumping out to an early lead with a takedown in the first six seconds.
 
NEO would again grab control with a pin at 174 and a major decision at 184 to extend the lead to 22-9. Dillon Archer was dominant at 197 pounds with a pin in just 58 seconds over No. 11 ranked Josh Latham. That would be all the scoring the Panthers could do however as they were open at 285.
 
"We had pretty much everyone show up but some took a little while longer to bring it," commented Wayne Petterson. "Overall we liked what we saw against the No. 4 team in the nation. We saw some things we didn't like but we will work and get them fixed but all in all our guys are coming around against some of the top teams in the country.