University of Missouri
Nebraska
Tiger Wrestling Downs Nebraska 24-16, Remains Undefeated
12/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 15, 2001
The University of Missouri wrestling team continued its winning ways as the No. 16th ranked Tigers defeated No. 9 Nebraska 24-16 in Lincoln, Neb. on Saturday. The win is the first conference win for Missouri since 1994 and it is the first ever win in a Big 12 Conference match for the Tigers. The match started strong for MU as junior Kevin Herron, ranked No. 10 in the heavyweight class pinned Mitch Manstedt of Nebraska in the first period.
In the 125-pound match, Nebraska's Jason Powell, ranked No. 5, defeated MU junior Mark Bader by a 5-1 score.
The Cornhuskers' Joey Malia then pinned Tiger freshman Chris McCormick in the 133-pound bout.
At 141 pounds, Missouri sophomore J.P. Reese scored a victory over NU's Scott Burnett by a score of 9-5.
Tiger sophomore and 10th ranked Jeremy Spates recorded a major decision win by downing Trevor Hill 15-7.
In the 157-pound match, Missouri sophomore Kenny Burleson was defeated by the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 157 pounds, Bryan Snyder, by a score of 22-9.
MU redshirt freshman and No. 11 ranked wrestler at 165 pounds, Tyron Woodley, defeated Nebraska's Tony Denke 6-2 in the 165-pound battle.
The 174-pound match saw MU senior John Kopnisky pick up technical fall over George Kirgan of Nebraska with a score of 22-7.
Missouri junior Dante Stone fell to Travis Pascoe, the No. 9 ranked 184-pounder, by a score of 12-6.
In the final match, MU sophomore Scott Barker, ranked No. 8, clinched the victory for MU with a 13-8 decision over Justin Ruiz, who was ranked No. 5 heading into the match.
Missouri won six of the 10 matches and had two technical fall victories to down the Huskers 24-16.
"We went in expecting to win," MU coach Brian Smith said. "We wrestled the way we were capable of and came away with the win. We made some mistakes but we found a way to win the matches we should have won. In the matches we lost, we battled, kept out composure and stayed in the match."
The win is the second victory for the Tigers over a top-10 opponent this season. They defeated Illinois, ranked No. 9 at the time, 20-13 in the season opener on Nov. 9.
Missouri moves to 5-0 on the season. It is the first time the Tigers have started the season with five straight wins since the 1984-85 season.
The last time the Tigers picked up a conference win was in the old Big 8 Conference when they defeated Oklahoma 20-19 in January of 1994.
Next up for MU is a trip to Reno, Nev. for the Reno Invitational on Dec. 20.
