Jan. 5, 2001
Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri wrestling team will resume action this Saturday, Jan. 6, as they travel to East Lansing, Mich., to take on the Spartans from Michigan State at 7:30 p.m.
Fighting their way through what could be considered one of the nation's toughest schedules, the Missouri Tiger wrestling team is farther along than their 1-5 dual record may indicate. In mid-November, the Tigers won the Mat Town Invitational in Lock Haven, Penn., one of the toughest tournaments on the East Coast. Then, just before break, they were edged out by Nebraska 21-17. Had any other Missouri loss gone the other way, the Tigers would have defeated the ninth-ranked Huskers.
"We've been really close a lot before the break, but a match here or a match there can really cost you in a dual," said Coach Smith. "What we have to do as a team now is hone our focus going into the second half of the season and into conference time, and I think the guys are doing that. The training has been really great since we have been back from holiday break, and we've been able to improve on a few of our weaknesses," said Smith.
These improvements will be the factor Saturday as they begin the meat of their dual schedule, meeting Michigan State for the first time. The Spartans are 11th on the Amateur Wrestling News (AWN) poll, and currently have seven wrestlers ranked nationally.
"We're really looking forward to the next two weekends. This Saturday is huge against Michigan State. They're a nationally ranked team, and they've got some great athletes and great facilities. This is a good dual for us to begin. It will be great to meet up with Michigan State year after year," said Coach Smith.
The next weekend, Jan. 12-13, the Tigers will take travel to Norfolk, Va., to wrestle in the 16-team Virginia Dual Tournament, considered by some to be basketball's NIT of the dual wrestling world. "The dual tournament will give us the opportunity to see some teams that we may not otherwise have a chance to see," said Smith. "The team is really looking forward to Virginia as well. We think the Duals will be a great proving ground. It would be great to pick up a big win at Michigan State, then go out and wrestle well in Norfolk."
The Tigers currently have two wrestlers gaining national recognition. At 125, freshman Justin Spates is 17-3 on the year and ranked eighth by AWN, and junior captain John Kopnisky is 17-2 at 174 pounds, and ranked seventh by AWN.