Nov. 21, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The 10th ranked Missouri Tiger wrestling team hosts the 3rd annual Missouri Open on Sunday, November 24. In only its third year, the Missouri Open has become one of the largest and strongest open meets in the country.
Over 25 Universities and colleges will be represented and more than 500 wrestlers will take to the mats in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse on Sunday.
The Missouri Open attracts many of the top teams and wrestlers from around the nation. Teams from two of the strongest conferences in the nation, the Big 12 and Big Ten, will be represented on the mats. Nine 2002 NCAA Championship qualifying teams will be represented (Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Air Force, Wisconsin, Indiana, Central Michigan, Eastern Illinois and Northwestern). Four ranked teams will be competing, #4 Oklahoma, #10 Missouri, #12 Illinois and #14 Central Michigan.
Other teams that will be competing include Southern Illinois, Central Missouri State, Missouri Valley, Lindenwood, Missouri Baptist, Truman State, Meramec College and Minnesota State. Michigan will also send representatives.
Many of the top wrestlers in the country will be in action in the Hearnes Center this Sunday. Fourteen wrestlers ranked in the top ten in the nation in their weight classes will be in competition, including five 2002 NCAA All-Americans. Oklahoma's Witt Durden (133 lbs.), Nate Parker (141 lbs.) and Josh Lambrecht (184 lbs.) earned All-American status last season. Durden finished third at the NCAA's and is currently ranked #2 in the country. Lambrecht was the runner-up last season at 184 lbs. and is ranked #1 in his class. Parker finished fifth at the NCAA's and is ranked #2.
Illinois All-American Matt Lackey was the runner-up last season at 165 lbs. and is ranked #1 in his class. Kevin Hoy (Air Force) finished eighth in the Heavyweight division, last season to earn All-American status is ranked fifth this season.
Last season Tyron Woodley (165) and Kenny Burleson (157) were the top returning Missouri finishers at the Missouri Open, both finished second in their weight classes.
With many top wrestling programs and top wrestlers in action this Sunday, this year's Missouri Open will build on the momentum and success that the first two Opens started.
NEWS FROM THE MAT: Currently the Tigers are ranked No. 10 in the nation by InterMat...Seven Tigers are currently ranked in their respected weight classes by InterMat: 141: J.P. Reese (#7), 149: Jeremy Spates (#8), 157: Kenny Burleson (#15), 165: Tyron Woodley (#8), 184: Dante Stone (#18), 197: Scott Barker (#3) and Heavyweight: Kevin Herron (#24)...Woodley was voted as the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Central Missouri State Open (Nov. 16). He went undefeated in winning the 165 lbs. weight class.