Tiger Wrestling Inks Justin Spates To National Letter Of Intent
11/18/1999 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 18, 1999
Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri Head Wrestling Coach BRIAN SMITH has announced the signing of JUSTIN SPATES of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to a National Letter of Intent. Spates is the brother of current Missouri wrestler Jeremy Spates and the son of Oklahoma Head Wrestling Coach Jack Spates, whom Smith coached under at Cornell from 1992-93.
Spates is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation at 125 lbs. and is among the top-25 recruits overall in the nation. Last season as a junior, Spates was the Pennsylvania state champion at 125 lbs. for Mount Pleasant High School. As a sophomore, Spates was the runner-up for the high school state championship in Oklahoma at 125 lbs. Both states are traditionally recognized among the best in the nation for high school wrestling competition.
?We are very excited to have Justin join the Missouri program,? Smith said. ? He has unbelievable wrestling talent, plus he is a great student and a National Honor Society member. It is tough to find good 125 lb. wrestlers, but now the University of Missouri has one of the very best.?
Spates was the only wrestler to sign with Missouri during the early signing period which ended yesterday, November 17. The spring signing period for wrestling begins April 5, 2000.
