Dec. 17, 1999

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri Head Wrestling Coach BRIAN SMITH has announced the signing of JESSE WEST to a financial aid agreement which allows West to transfer to the University of Missouri from Iowa State University. The sophomore wrestler will be eligible for competition at the start of second semester.

West was 9-16 last season for the Cyclones, but had competed at all for Iowa State this season. As a true freshman in the 1997-98, West went 9-2 wrestling unattached.

?We are excited to have Jesse become a part of our program,? Smith said. ?Not only is he a great wrestler, but he is very focused on his academics. He makes us a solid team for the second semester of competition.?

Missouri has not had a wrestler at 125 lbs. do to injury and has had to forfeit to each of its dual opponents at the wieght, making West?s arrival that much more important.

?Lots of factors led me to Missouri,? West said. ?I wanted to wrestle at a Division I program and somewhere where I could continue my course of study.? West will major in fisheries and wildlife at MU.

Named as the nation?s top wrestler at 125 lbs. by Amateur Wrestling News out of high school, West won state titles as a freshman and sophomore in Class 6A in Kansas. After placing second in Kansas as a junior, West completed his prep career with a second place finish in the state of Iowa after moving to Iowa City High School. Over four years, West compiled a 142-5 career record.