Chanute, Kan. - Neosho County Panthers wrestling faced off against Labette County in their home opener. The Panthers came out flat and Labette was quick to capitalize, and sailed to a comfortable win by a final of 40-3.
Neosho (1-1) began the night facing an uphill climb against No. 18 Labette (2-0). The Panthers don't have a wrestler at 125 pounds this semester and were open at 141 after Alex Shea failed to make weight. Eventually, Labette would gain some bonus points through pins and major decisions, which led to their 40-3 victory.
In addition to Shea not wrestling, regular starters Dillon Archer and Tyron Welch were held out as they recover from injuries.
"Alex Shea not making weight was a huge blow to the entire team before the dual," commented Wayne Petterson. "We do look forward to seeing Brogan in the lineup more and getting a couple of our injured guys back soon in Archer and Welch and in a couple of week Colton Looper."
Neosho's Brogan Humphrey was the lone bright spot for the Panthers' lineup, winning in exciting fashion 6-5, over Labette's Shea Conley. It was Brogan's first collegiate victory in his first collegiate match after missing the first two weeks due to an injury
"We need to survive this first semester with respect," commented Petterson, "then we will get some real good additions to our lineup for the second semester. Last night wasn't a true indicator of what we have going on here."
The Panthers will travel to Warrensburg, Missouri for the UCM Open on Sunday.
