University of Missouri
Central Missouri State Open
Tigers place 14 Wrestlers in CMSU Open
11/12/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 12, 2000
The University of Missouri wrestling team traveled to Warrensburg, Mo., Sunday to compete in the Central Missouri State Open, where 14 of 16 wrestlers placed in the top six in their bracket.
"I think we wrestled well, overall. Both of our 125-pounders scored big wins," said Head Coach Brian Smith. "We just need to keep things rolling and continue to focus as we get ready for Oklahoma State on Thursday."
At 125 pounds, junior Mark Bader and freshman Justin Spates wrestled their way to the finals, upsetting some tough opponents along the way. Bader beat Lindenwood's Josh Buchanan, who beat him last week at the Lindenwood Open. Spates beat Skylar Holman, who qualified for nationals last year for the University of North Carolina, by a score of 3-1. Bader and Spates did not did not wrestle the finals match.
"There were a couple of times in the finals and consolation finals where our guys met and they didn't wrestle for the places. They see each other in the wrestling room everyday. There's no need for them to beat up on each other when we have to wrestle Oklahoma State on Thursday," coach Smith said.
Jesse West placed fourth at 133.
Jeremy Spates took first place honors at 149, while his teammate Kenny Burleson placed third at the same weight. Burleson's only loss was to Spates in an earlier round.
At 157, junior David Neff placed second after losing by one point in the finals match to two-time Division II qualifier Nathan Gomez from the University of Central Oklahoma.
The 165-pound bracket saw a host of Tiger wrestlers place in the top six. Sophomore Mark Vollmar placed third, and freshmen Tyron Woodley and Chris Halbrook met but did not wrestle for fifth and sixth place. Woodley lost a double-overtime match in the semifinals, then lost again to teammate Vollmar in another overtime match.
Junior co-captain John Kopnisky won champion honors at 174. "He dominated the weight class. He had a solid day, and he's looking forward to Thursday against Okie State," said Coach Smith.
At 184 pounds, Ry Stone placed second after losing the finals match to Muhammed Lawal, a Midwest Regional Champion for Central Oklahoma last year, while sophomore Rob Stolin placed third.
Junior Kevin Herron and sophomore Dante Stone both wrestled their way to the finals at 197, but did not wrestle the championship match.
Heavyweight Chad Hertzog did not place.
The Tiger grapplers opened their season last Friday as they were bested by 5th ranked Illinois, 33-6. The schedule doesn't look any easier any time soon, either. This Thursday they travel to Tulsa, Okla., where they will take on the 4th-ranked Cowboys from Oklahoma State. From there they will return home to host the Missouri Open on Nov. 19, where over 350 wrestlers from all across the region will converge on the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse.
