December 11, 1998
Columbia, MO - This weekend the University of Missouri wrestling squad will head to the state of Indiana for two tough dual matches. Waiting for the Tigers are Big 10 opponents Indiana University and Purdue University. The Boilermakers have been ranked #16 nationally by Intermat Magazine and the Hooisers of Indiana also received a vote in the most recent Intermat rankings. Missouris has wrestled only one dual match thus far. Opening the season with a 33-3 defeat at the hands of #9 Illinois.
After a disappointing performance at the Cliff Kean Las Vegas Invitational last weekend, where MU was ousted after the first day of competition, the Tiger wrestlers have had a week to prepare for Purdue and Indiana, Head coach Brian Smith, a former Michigan State All-American in his own right, knows what it will take to compete this weekend.
"We just have to be super positive with the kids and encourage them. Eventually they will come around and start winning the close matches. Some of our guys are really close to doing that. We just have to keep teachimg them."
Despite the growing pains suffered by placing freshmen and a sophomore in seven of the ten starting spots, a couple of Tigers have established good records and will look to score points for the Tigers. Freshmen Mark Bader (133), John Kopnisky (165), and Jesse Jordan (157) have all registered double-digit wins up to now. Sophomore Jason Moore (184) also has won 11 matches as the teams captain.
"Indiana is young and tough," Smith commented. "They are right on the verge of the top 25 and will be tough in the Big 10."
This battle of two young teams may be one the Tigers can steal if they win the matches they should and pull off a couple upsets on the road. The Hoosiers have ten men back from last years squad that finished 6-7. Duane Goldmans Hoosiers host the Tigers Saturday at 1pm.
The Tigers then travel to West Laffayette to face # 16 Purdue. Head coach Jessie Reyes returns eight lettermen and three NCAA qualifiers from a team that went 16-3 last season. Though MU seems to be outmanned, coach Smith believes the match will be an opportunity for his kids to learn.
"Not long ago Purdue was in the basement of the Big Ten. Coach Reyes has gotten some kids in their who believe and after five or six years they are at the top. Its a great example for our kids."
NOTES ON MIZZOU
At the St. Louis open, Mizzou was 0-3 versus Indiana in open matches and 1-2 versus Purdue. The lone Tiger win came thanks to John Kopnisky who defeated Purdues Matt Weaver 11-5 in 165 class.
At the St. Louis Open Purdue placed four men in medal honors, Indiana three, and MU two.
Purdue head coach Jessie Reyes coached Tiger head man Brian Smith and helped get Smith started in college coaching by recommending him to then Cornell head coach and current Oklahoma head coach Jack Spates.
Freshman Clifford Sutcliffe, 1-4 in open meets, will start his first collegiate dual match versus Indiana at 141, a weight the Tigers forfeited versus Illinois.
A win this weekend would the first for Brian Smith at Missouri.
Tiger Starting Lineup:
125 Jake Lapinsky 4-4 2nd place at Central Missouri State Open
133 Mark Bader 11-4 4th place at St. Louis Open fresh/soph. competition 5th place at Central Missouri State Open
141 Cliff Sutcliffe 1-4
149 Jeff Urban 8-5 4th place last year at Big 12 Tourney, Champion of Central Missouri State Open
157 Jesse Jordan 11-6 4th place in open competition at St. Louis Open, 2nd place at Central Missouri State Open
165 John Kopnisky 10-4 Champion of CMSU Open
174 Jared Sears 6-3 3rd place at CMSU
184 Jason Moore 11-5 Fourth place finish at Big 12 tourney 1997-98, NCAA Championships qualifier as a freshman 1997-98, Champion at CMSU Open
197 Kevin Stroh 6-4 2nd place at CMSU Open
HWT Chad Hertzog 5-2 3rd place at St. Louis Open fresh/soph. competition