University of Missouri
SIUE
Missouri Wrestlers Win Home Dual Opener
11/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 28, 2000
Columbia, Mo. - Hot off Saturday's team championship at the Mat Town Invitational (Lock Haven, Pa.), the University of Missouri wrestling team came home to the Hearnes Center Tuesday to quiet the Cougars of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 46-0.
The Mizzou grapplers have had an extremely grueling opening two weeks, participating in two duals and three tournaments each stacked with numerous nationally-ranked opponents.
"Last season, I would have been pretty worried about a match like tonight, especially coming off such a tough first two weeks," said Head Coach Brian Smith. "I wasn't worried this year, though. The guys are really focused, and they came into the match ready to get the job done. Now we get a week and a half to prepare ourselves for Purdue and Indiana. It's nice to have that extra time."
The Missouri wrestlers racked up 81 individual points while holding the Cougars to just 16.
At 125, freshman Justin Spates used his quick takedown ability to defeat SIUE's Justin Kamper by technical fall, 20-5.
At 131, junior Jesse West won by decision over Manny Herrera (SIUE) 2-0.
At 141, sophomore J.P. Reese won by fall, pinning SIUE's Steve Bryant in just 1:27, the fastest pin this year.
After jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the first period, 149 lb. junior Jesse Jordan won by technical fall over Mike Brenner (SIUE) 16-0.
Mizzou 157-pounder Kenny Burleson won by technical fall over Matt Oliva 19-1 in an exhibition match, where Burleson scored nine points in the first period and 10 points in the third.
Mark Vollmar, 165-pound sophomore, defeated Omari Johnson 6-3.
10th ranked John Kopnisky won his exhibition match by major decision at 174 over one of SIUE's top returners Zach Stephens by a score of 12-4.
At 184, junior Ry Stone opened the dual with a exhibition major decision over Southern Illinois' Richard Ness, 14-5.
Rob Stolin won by forfeit at 197.
The heavyweight match saw junior Chad Hertzog defeat the other of SIUE's returners Aaron Wiens 4-2.
The Tiger wrestlers will now enjoy over a week without competition as they prepare for a Dec. 8 match against 25th-ranked Purdue, then turn around the next day to take on 24th-ranked Indiana. Mizzou then opens its conference dual schedule on Dec. 17 in Jefferson City, Mo. as they take on 13th-ranked Nebraska at Helias High School.
