Nov. 30, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The #13 ranked University of Missouri wrestling team will face off against conference rival and the #1 team in the country Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. The meet will be the Tiger's first dual meet action of the season after starting off with consecutive opens (Central Missouri State and Missouri Opens).
The Cowboys are 1-0 in dual meets after beating Tennessee-Chattanooga to open the season. Last week the Cowboys were at the Kaufman-Brand Open, where six Cowboy wrestlers walked away with championships and overall they had 13 wrestlers place in the top five.
Individually the Cowboys have a wrestler ranked in every weight class, including nine in the top 10 of their respected weight classes. 2002 NCAA Champion and two-time All-American Johnny Thompson leads the way for the top ranked Cowboys. He is #1 in the 133-lbs. weight class and has a career record of 87-5, including a winning streak of 33 straight matches. Muhammed Lawal is ranked #1 in the 197 lbs. weight class and is joined by 2002 All-Americans Skyler Holman (125 lbs., #6), Shane Roller (157 lbs., 34) and Tyrone Lewis (165 lbs., #2) as the top wrestlers for the Cowboys.
The Tigers enter the match-up after a good showing at the Missouri Open, which saw seven Tiger wrestlers finish in the top six places. The Tigers have seven wrestlers currently ranked in their respected weight classes led by #6 Tyron Woodley (165 lbs.). J.P. Reese (141 lbs., #8), Jeremy Spates (149 lbs., #8), Kenny Burleson (157 lbs. #14), Dante Stone (184 lbs., #13), Scott Barker (197 lbs., #5) and Kevin Herron (HWT., #18) round out the top Tiger wrestlers.
The dual meet will be audio broadcasted live through the Oklahoma State athletic website. The website address is www.okstate.com.
PROJECTED LINEUPS: MISSOURI OKLAHOMA STATE 125 lbs. Mark Bader Skyler Holman 133 lbs. Austin DeVoe Johnny Thompson 141 lbs. J.P.Reese Zack Esposito 149 lbs. Jeremy Spates Jerrod Sanders 157 lbs. Kenny Burleson Shane Roller 165 lbs. Tyron Woodley Tyrone Lewis 174 lbs. Matt Turner Chris Pendleton 184 lbs. Jeff Foust Jake Rosholt 197 lbs. Dante Stone Muhammed Lawal HWT Kevin Herron William GruenwaldNEWS FROM THE MAT: Senior All-American Scott Barker is recovering from a knee injury and is projected to return in 4-6 weeks, Dante Stone will move up to 197 lbs. and redshirt freshman will wrestle in Stone's spot at 184 lbs.