Nov. 11, 1999
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri wrestling team will open its regular season schedule Friday night versus No. 3 Illinois. The match will be held at Hazelwood Central High School in suburban St. Louis, Mo. beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Head Coach Brian Smith begins his second campaign at Mizzou looking to improve on last year?s 4-9 dual record. Of Missouri?s ten starting spots, six will be held down by returners from last year?s squad.
Headlining the group of returning lettermen are 1999 NCAA Qualifier Jeff Urban (149) back for his senior season, and sophomore John Kopnisky (174). Both grapplers are expected to challenge in the Big 12 this season as well as advance towards All-American status by season?s end. Three freshman have earned a starting roll as well. Missouri will forfeit at 125lbs. due to a neck injury suffered by freshman Tanner Harris earlier this month.
?We are looking forward to a great season and putting ourselves in a position to have a succesful season recordwise,? Smith said. ?The people we have coming back have trained hard this summer and we expect them to be better this season while setting a positive example for the newcomers.?
The Tigers will have their hands full with the Fighting Illini who, along with their No. 3 team rank nationally, boast seven wrestlers ranked in Intermat Magazine?s Top-20 in their weight class. Junior Adam Tirapelle was the pre-season No. 2-ranked wrestler at 149 lbs., though he will have a tough match versus Missouri?s Urban, ranked No. 12 at 149 lbs. before the start of the season.
Missouri opens its home schedule Thursday, November 18 at 7:00p.m. when it hosts No. 6 Oklahoma State in Big 12 Conference action. The dual will be held in the Hearnes Center Arena.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS AND 1998-99 RECORDS
Missouri/ Illinois
125 N/A/ Ryan Escobar (Transfer from Southern Oregon)
133 Mark Bader (10-17)/ Dave Stoltz (15-17) or Kelly Madden (RS)
141 Jeremy Spates (HS)/ #6 Carl Perry (25-11)
149 #12 Jeff Urban (20-14)/ #2 Adam Tirapelle (31-8)
157 Jesse Jordan (14-12)/ #8 Griff Powell (26-14)
165 Mark Vollmar (HS)/ #8 Bill Zeman (25-14)
174 John Kopnisky (18-12)/ Ben King (12-17)
184 Josh Maze (HS)/ #12 Nate Patrick (28-8)
197 Kevin Herron (15-17)/ #8 Pat Quirk (24-11)
HWT Chad Hertzog (9-13)/ #8 John Lockhart (24-4)