No. 16 Ranked Tiger Wrestling Heads to Nebraska
12/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 14, 2001
The University of Missouri wrestling team, 4-0 on the season and ranked No. 16 in the country, opens its Big 12 Conference schedule on Saturday as they face Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are one spot ahead of the Tigers in the polls at No. 15.
After opening the season with a win over Illinois, the Tigers picked up three more victories last weekend over Indiana, Purdue and Missouri Valley. The 4-0 start is the best start for Missouri since the 1984-85 season. That team started the season 5-0.
The latest polls have six MU wrestlers ranked, with five Tigers in the top-10 of their weight class. Sophomore Scott Barker has been impressive so far this year. He is 4-0 with two pins and two technical falls. The latest poll has him at No. 8 in the 197-pound weight class.
Senior John Kopnisky, a two-time NCAA Tournament qualifier, in ranked No. 9 in the 174-pound class. Redshirt freshman Tyron Woodley, who picked up three more wins last weekend is the ninth ranked wrestler in the 165-pound division.
Junior Kevin Herron has moved into the top 10 in the heavyweight class. He is now ranked No. 10 and sophomore Jeremy Spates remained at No. 10 at 149 pounds. Junior Mark Bader is ranked No. 15 in the 125-pound division.
Nebraska is ranked No. 15 by Intermat, and are as high as No. 9 in polls by other publications. Like Missouri, the Huskers are off to a 4-0 start and are opening the Big 12 portion of the schedule with Saturday's match. Senior Bryan Snyder, who is the top ranked wrestler in the 157-pound weight class, leads Nebraska.
A win on Saturday for the Tigers would be their first ever Big 12 victory and the first conference win since January of 1994 when they knocked off Oklahoma 20-19.
Following Saturday's dual, the Tigers will take part in the Reno Invitational on Dec. 20 in Reno, Nev.
Missouri projected lineup:
125- Mark Bader, Jr.
133- Chris McCormick, Fr.
141- J.P. Reese, So.
149- Jeremy Spates, So.
157- Jon Sioredas, RSFr. -OR- Kenny Burleson, So.
165- Tyron Woodley, RSFr.
174- John Kopnisky, Sr.
184- Dante Stone, Jr.
197- Scott Barker, So.
HWT- Kevin Herron, Jr.
