Head wrestling coach Ralph McCausland and his crew will pick up where they left off last week and get the ball rolling at a tournament at Central Missouri hoping to gain good momentum as the season unfolds.

The Panthers will be seeking to build off the showing at last weeks Eastern Michigan open when they compete at the Central Missouri Open this Sunday.

The Panther warriors will be confronting competition from some pretty big schools this time around, facing teams such as Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri and Missouri Valley.

“It is going to be a lot like the Eastern Michigan Open but instead of the Big Ten we will face guys from the Big 12,” McCausland said. “There are some strong hold teams.”

Eastern has not competed in this open for a number of years. McCausland is expecting his grapplers to pick things up this weekend.

“We need consistency as we wrestle throughout all the matches,” McCausland said. “I expect elevated performances from last week. Mental preparation needs to be picked up. They have to find their own zones.”

The tournament is expected to be the same size, roughly, as the Eastern Michigan Open, and the roster that Eastern will be going there with will remain the same for the most part. McCasuland is also expecting the competition level to be no less than it was at the Eastern Michigan Open.

Eastern will have 18 wrestlers locking up at the tourney. The roster is the same from last week with the exception of Dale Griffin who strained his lower back and will be unable to wrestle.

Louis Taylor will also not be wrestling due to a wrist injury. He is expected to be out for another week for safety precautions.

This will be the first time in years that Eastern will participate in this particular invitational. The main reason for the team to compete in it this year is for the younger wrestlers to get more experience under their belts.

“We have such a young team,” McCausland said. “These early matches will be a benefit. We haven’t gone to this open in a number of years and the main reason that we are going this year is to get these guys some matches.”

“The more matches the better,” he said.

The team will leave Saturday afternoon for Warrensburg, Mo., check into their hotel, have a light workout then retire for the night in preparation for some grueling competition all day Sunday.