March 30, 1999

Columbia, Mo. - Missouri freshman wrestler John Kopnisky has been named to the Big 12 wrestling select team. Kopnisky will represent Missouri and the conference at 174 lbs. as part of a squad that will travel to Korea for competition the first week of June. Missouri assistant coach Bart Horton has already been named the assistant coach for the team.

Kopnisky wrestled at both 165 and 174 for the Tigers during the 1998-99 season, compiling a an 18-12 overall record in dual action. John was a Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honoree, the champion of the Central Missouri State Open at 165 lbs., and is one of the cornerstones of head coach Brian Smith's program at Missouri.

"We think that John has unlimited potential," Smith said. "This will be an opportunity for him to train with some of the best wrestlers in the country and compete in the international arena. John is a great guy to represent our program in that area."

The team consists of ten wrestlers, representing all five Big 12 schools with wrestling programs. The squad includes past and present NCAA individual champions, Big 12 Conference champions, and several of the top collegiate wrestlers in the nation.