The Eastern wrestling team was busy over the holiday break competing in the Missouri Open on Nov. 24.

The Missouri Open was not a team-scoring event, and the results will not affect the Panthers’ overall record, but several wrestlers had strong showings.

Leading the Panthers was Matt Veach. The junior from Springfield finished in fouth place in the 165-pound weight class. Veach has an impressive 12-6 record on the young season.

Pat Dowty was another Panther who wrestled well at the Missouri Open. Dowty, who led the Panthers last year with 32 victories against only 13 defeats, went 4-2 at the tournament and finished in fouth place in the 133-pound weight class. Also in the mix at 133 pounds was junior Mike Stanley, who finished in sixth place.

Freshmen Ken Robertson and Ryan DeVries won their respective weight classes in the freshmen-sophomore division.

Robertson, a Metamora native who competes in the 165-pound class, went 5-0 on the day earning him first place. Ryan DeVries won all four of his matches to finish tops in the 275-pound class. There were over 24 competitors in each weight class.

Head coach Ralph McCausland was pleased with many individual performances at the Missouri Open.

“Matt Veach and Pat Dowty did well,” McCausland said. “We had a number of freshmen go 2-2 and Ken Robertson and Ryan DeVries were impressive winning their weight class.”

Despite the success of a few individuals last week, McCausland is not predicting how the wrestling year will shape up.

“We take it one match at a time,” McCausland said. “I don’t know how the season will turn out.”

One thing McCausland will admit is that his team is stronger than last year. McCausland believes the Panthers (0-1) are not the same team that finished last year 2-11.

“We’re more talented than last year,” McCausland said. “There is more experience on this team, and we have good leaders in Matt Veach and Pat Dowty.”

The Panthers will next face steep competition at the Northern Iowa Open Dec. 7. Nebraska, Michigan St., Northern Iowa and defending NCAA champion Minnesota are scheduled to appear.

Even though the Panthers will have their hands full, McCausland is not fazed.

“We usually do quite well at the Northern Iowa Open,” McCausland said. “It’s another quality tournament against the best competition.”