January 6, 1999
Columbia, MO - After nearly a month off, the Missouri Tiger wrestling team will restart their schedule in 1999 at the Great Plains Open on Saturday, January 9. The open tournament is hosted by the University of Nebraska and will be held on the University of Nebraska campus at Lincoln.
The Great Plains Open will mark the fourth open that MU has participated in this season. In November the Tigers took part in the Central Missouri State University Open and the St. Louis Open, while in December Missouri wrestled at the Las Vegas Invite. To this point twelve Missouri wrestlers have earned place honors in open competition.
"This will be a very tough tournament for us," head coach Brian Smith commented. "But the last week or week and a half have been our best practices of the year so far. I think the guys are getting used the coaches and they are believing in the system."
The Tigers will face wrestlers from Big 12 rivals #1 Oklahoma State, #6 Iowa State and #13 Nebraska. The open will also include wrestlers from #2 Minnesota and #12 West Virginia as ranked by the National Wrestling Coaches Assoication.
"This will be a good tournament for our guys like [John] Kopnisky and [Jason] Moore. Guys that are on the verge of being ranked. Hopefully they can get some good matches in," Smith said.
Following this weekend's action, MU will travel to Laramie, Wyoming for a dual match with the University of Wyoming next Saturday, January 16 at 7 pm.
Notes on Mizzou:
MUs John Kopnisky wins Big 12 honor
Freshman John Kopnisky was the Big 12 conference Wrestler of the Week for the week of December 14. He earned the honor by winning matches at Indiana and at Purdue boosting his overall record to 12-4. He is the only Tiger to win in each of Missouris three dual matches (Indiana, Purdue and Illinois). Kopnisky was 22-6 last season as a redshirtt freshman participating in open competitions. The Mt. Carmel, Indiana native is the son of Bob Kopnisky head coach of Missouri wrestling from 1974-86. The elder Kopnisky is the winningest wrestling coach in Mizzou history with a record of 125-73-2, (.625).
Jordan, Lynde, and Bader Open to Success
This year's wrestling team is stock full of young talent. Eight freshmen and three sophomores make up nearly three-quarters of the MU roster. In open competition, freshmen Jesse Jordan and Mark Bader and sophomore Brad Lynde have led the way, each placing in two of the Tigers three open meets. Bader also ranks second on the team in overall wins with 11. John Kopnisky leads the team with 12.
Tigers On The Road Again
This weekend's meet will be Mizzous sixth consecutive road event. Missouri has yet to compete in the friendly confines of the Hearnes Center. This season the Tigers have already traveled to Purdue Unviersity, Indiana University and to Granite City, Illinois for a dual match with the University of Illinois. Missouri has gone to open competitions at Central Missouri State University, St. Louis Community College and Las Vegas, Nevada. Up next for MU is a trip to Laramie, Wyoming for a dual match with the University of Wyoming on January 16.
MU Wrestlers Open Up at Home Jan. 22
After two months of road competition, MU will open its home wrestling schedule with two dual matches on Friday, January 22. At 7 pm the Tigers tackle Missouri Valley and at 8:30 pm Lindenwood University visits the Hearnes Center. Missouri will host only three other dual matches for the season. Feb. 5 versus Northern Iowa, Feb. 7 versus Iowa State, and Feb. 17 versus Nebraska. For press credentials please contact Eric Morrison in the University of Missouri Sports Information office.