The Panthers continued their early success in the Missouri Open by having four wrestlers place in each weight class.

Senior Pat Dowty placed fourth in the 133 class and Matt Veach placed third in the 165 class. Red-shirt freshman Kenny Robertson also placed sixth in the 174 class. Pete Zimiski finished sixth in the 285 class.

Eastern head coach Ralph McCausland was pleased by the Panthers performance on Sunday.

‘We have progressed each week and are starting to elevate into a good team,” McCausland said.

After losing to Shawn Bunch in the second round, Dowty made it all the way to the final match of the consolation bracket. He defeated Daniel Caruthers of top ranked Oklahoma and defeated Bunch in a rematch in the semifinals. In the final, Paul Collum defeated Dowty 9-4 as the senior finished fourth.

Veach made it to the fourth round before being knocked out by Tryone Lewis 5-3. Lewis placed first in the 165-pound class. In the final match of the consolation bracket, Veach defeated Ben Hay of Illinois to take third in the 165 weight class.

In the 174-pound class, Robertson made it to the third round before losing to Pete Friedl 8-5. Robertson ended up placing sixth in the 174 class.

“Kenny has really impressed me a lot this season. He has proven that he can wrestle and he has always given it all he has” Dowty said.

Ziminiski made it to the third round and placed sixth in the 285 class.

Going into December, McCausland is confident about the Panthers competing well.

“With our early schedule, our wrestlers have gained a lot of good experience against some of the better teams in the nation. Also, our wrestlers have stayed healthy,” McCausland said.

In the past, injuries have devastated the Panthers. In fact, Eastern had to forfeit weight classes due to injuries last season.

The first big test this month for the Panthers is Dec. 6 at Northern Iowa. Traditional powers Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska will all be competing in the open. McCausland is looking forward to this open because of the quality teams participating.

“Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska are some of the best wrestling programs in the nation. It should be a good challenge for us,” McCausland said.

The Panthers are looking forward to this open to be their best of the season, Dowty said.

“It’s our last open of the season, and we’re going to be looking for six or seven wrestlers to place,” dowty said.

Veach also likes the Panthers chances in the Hawkeye state.

“We need to stick to our game plan. If we do this, we can compete with anyone,” Veach said.

After going to Iowa, the Panthers begin dual play. They will travel to Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Panthers begin their home season on Jan. 9 against Northern Iowa.