PCC Wrestlers Dominate #11 Neosho

The 15th ranked Pratt Wrestling Team defeated the 11th ranked Neosho Panthers 33 – 3 on Tuesday night in the Dennis Lesh Arena.  The Beavers were led by returning All - American Jesse Barber, who is ranked 4th in the country, and Alex Feldkamp, who is ranked 11th in the country.
 
 
The Neosho Panthers started the night off at 133lbs. where Neosho’s 7th ranked DJ Hartrum eased out a decision against Jose Sanchez 16 - 12. Then at 141lbs., the Beavers got the match rolling with a decision by Cody Wildin against Cody Sadowski 10 - 8.  At 149lbs., Nick Schwager (Pratt) and Dustin Scott wrestled an exciting match that went into overtime.  Schwager won the barnburner by a takedown in the opening seconds of the first overtime, which left the match at 6 - 4.
 
 
With Pratt leading the match 6 – 3, the wrestling move to 157lbs., where Pratt’s Keegan Smith edged out Trent Hoover 3 – 0. That set the tone for the rest of the evening, and was followed by another hard fought duel between Pratt’s 9th ranked Randall Clements and Dustin Kincaid. Clements prevailed 4 - 2.
 
 
Next at 174 lbs., Pratt’s 11th ranked Dylon Walker received a forfeit. which was followed by a pinfall by returning NJCAA National Qualifier Alex Feldkamp over Nicholas Larranaga in 4:43.  At 197 lbs., Pratt’s Dustin Hackett defeated the 5th ranked Zachary Ferrell 2-1 in a steady pace match. Then at heavyweight, the big guys wrestled an exciting match where Xavier Fisher defeated 7th ranked Joseph George 3 - 2 to put the match at 30 - 3. 
 
 
In the last match of the evening, Pratt’s 4th ranked Jesse Barber defeated Jeff Vesta to finish the night with a 9 - 3 decision, resulting in the final score of 33 – 3.
 
 
"Coach Kepley and I were pleased with our opening dual performance last night,” said head coach Josh Carroll.  “There are still some things that we need to improve, but overall we are proud of our kids for the heart and the show that they put on for our first home dual meet." 
 
 
The next home Dual Meet will put the 15th ranked Beavers against the 7th ranked Labette Cardinals in a tough match on November 17th at 7 p.m. at the Beaver Dome.