Oct. 25, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. - InterMat wrestling has announced its preseason rankings for the upcoming 2002-03 season. Missouri starts the season ranked #6 in the country, the highest ranking ever for the wrestling team. Last season the team was ranked as high as #7 by InterMat.

This season the team returns 9 starters and 10 letterwinners from a squad that finished 17th at the NCAA Championships. InterMat has 8 Tiger wrestlers ranked in its preseason individual rankings, including four wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in their respected weight classes.

Junior 2002 All-American Scott Barker leads the way with #3 ranking in the 197 lbs. weight class. Junior J.P. Reese, a 2002 NCAA qualifier, enters the season ranked 7th at 141 lbs. Sophomore Tyron Woodley (165 lbs.) and junior Jeremy Spates (149 lbs.) are both ranked 8th respectively in their weight classes. All four wrestlers look to contend for All-American status this upcoming season.

Rounding out the individual rankings are Dante Stone (184 lbs.) and Kenny Burleson (157 lbs.) ranked 15th, Justin Spates (133 lbs.) at #16 and Mark Bader (125 lbs.) at #17. Senior heavyweight Kevin Herron received votes but was not ranked.

"Obviously this is a big deal for us. I know as coaches you don't put to much into the preseason rankings, but this shows that we are a program on a rise. Especially since we weren't ranked last preseason and jump to #6 in one year. It shows that other people think highly of our program and expect big things from us, much like I expect big things from us," commented wrestling head coach Brian Smith.

Minnesota, the 2002 NCAA National Champions, are ranked #1 with Big 12 rival Oklahoma State closely behind at #2. Iowa and Big 12 opponents Oklahoma and Iowa State round out the top 5 in front of Mizzou. All five Big 12 teams are ranked (Nebraska is ranked #20), the first time in Big 12 history that all 5 teams have been ranked together in a preseason poll. Missouri will face 8 ranked teams in dual meets this upcoming season (#7 Ohio State, #16 Northern Iowa, #23 Purdue and #25 Northern Illinois).

"We know we have a tough schedule. We planned it that way, because we know that we can compete with the top teams in the country. To be considered a top team you have to wrestle the top teams. It's going to be a fun season," said Smith.

NOTES FROM THE MAT: The Tigers kick off the season with their Black & Gold Intersquad Meet on Friday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearnes Center