Dec. 6, 2001
The University of Missouri wrestling team has a busy weekend ahead as they welcome three teams to the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse. On Friday night the No. 16 ranked Tigers will host Indiana. Then on Saturday, Purdue and Missouri Valley will be in Columbia for a double dual.
The Tigers enter this weekend's duals with a record of 1-0. They recorded a 20-13 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini in the season opener on Nov. 9. Indiana will be taking part in its first dual of the season.
Both Missouri and Indiana had wrestlers taking part in the Missouri Open in Columbia on Nov. 18. Several matches on that day saw MU-IU matchups.
In that tournament Mark Bader (MU) defeated Joseph Dubuque (IU), Jesse Jordan (MU) defeated Steve Amy (IU), Amy then defeated Jeremy Spates (MU). Kenny Burleson (MU) and Jon Sioredas (MU) both defeated Alex LaPointe (IU). John Kopnisky (MU) defeated Andrew Wolf (IU) and Dante Stone (MU) defeated Brandon Sisson (IU).
Indiana has won the last eight duals between these two teams with Missouri's last win coming in 1992.
MU and IU met in Bloomington, Ind. last season with the Hoosiers coming away with a 22-15 victory. John Kopnisky and Kenny Burleson each recorded pins for the Tigers, but Missouri was only able to win a total of three matches on the night.
On Saturday the Tigers host Purdue and Missouri Valley in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse for a double dual.
Saturday's duals are the first of the season for Purdue. They have started the season by winning the Navy Classic and finishing second at the Mat Town Invitational.
Last season Purdue and Missouri met in Carmel, Ind. The Boilermakes came away with a 24-14 win. Among the Tigers picking up wins were Kenny Burleson at 149 pounds and Dante Stone at 184 pounds.
Missouri Valley has had a strong start to the season with good showings at the Central Missouri State Open and the Missouri Open. In the meeting last year between Missouri and Missouri Valley, the Tigers and Vikings tied 19-19.
Following today's action Missouri will hit the road for a dual at Nebraska on Dec. 15, before heading to Reno, Nev. on Dec. 20 for the Reno Invitational.