January 14, 2008 -

Shorthanded Panthers suffer defeat to Rival Labette.

January 10, 2008- The 10th ranked Panther wrestling team headed down to Parsons, KS on Thursday, January 10th 2008 to take on the 3rd ranked Cardinals of Labette with four starters out of the lineup the task was a huge one to say the least. The Panthers started the night off with a big bang out of the gates as Drakkar Klose a freshman from South Haven, Michigan bumped up from his 165 back up spot to help the team out and in the process pull a major upset of not only a heavier foe, but one that was ranked 6th in the nation by a 4-3 decision. That would be the only match determined by a decision on the night as the next 9 weight classes combined for 6 falls, 2 forfeits, and 1 technical fall. At 184 Jason Green bumping up from his nationally ranked 174 spot took on a formidable foe, but leading late in the match was caught with a speedy move and put on his back, with the slap of the official’s hand to the mat soon following there after. 197 Sam Robbins was quickly out maneuvered and could never recover from an explosive takedown and surrendered a loss by fall as well. The Panthers were then open at 285, and thus went into the 4th match of the night down by a hefty 15 point deficit.

Then phenomenal freshman Donte Butler (St. Louis Missouri), wasted very little time in bear-hugging his opponent and recroding a 1st period fall of his own. At 133 Rory Kendall had a narrow lead late, but once again the luck was on the side of the Cardinals, and Rory was caught in a wild flurry and suffered a loss by fall as well. At 141 freshman Danny Washington stepped on the mat from the role of back up to starter once again on the season and saved a team point by only losing by a technical fall. Next up for the Panthers was Ty Jaquess who earned a much needed win with a thrilling fall from the top position in the middle of the 2nd period. At 157 the Panthers we open again, which lead us into the final match of the evening pitting the 3rd ranked Cardinal wrestler against the Panther’s 5th ranked Ken Carney. Carney defended the shots of his opponent fairly well, until a slick and powerful move yet again caught the Panthers by surprise and he too, soon met his fate losing the match by fall.

#3 Labette 40 #10 Neosho 14

125 Donte Butler (N) wbfall Cody Aldridge (L)-1st period

133 Scott Berens (L) wbfall Rory Kendall (N)3rd period

141 Derek Ward (L) wbTechfall Danny Washington (N)

149 Ty Jaquess (N) wbfall Aaron Hynek (L)- 2nd period

157 Joe Cornejo (L) wb Forfeit

165 Mikey Morgan (L) wbfall Ken Carney 1st period

174 Drakkar Klose (N) wbdec 4-3 over Joe Yust

184 Tony Enyobi (L) wbfall Jason Green (N) 3rd period 197 Chance Recountre (L) wbfall Sam Robbins (N)1st period

HWT Ben Hohensee (L) wb forfeit