Dec. 19, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The University of Missouri wrestling team hits the road this weekend for two nonconference dual meets against Big Ten Conference schools. On Friday the #12 Tigers travel to West Lafayette, Indiana to face the #13 Purdue University Boilermakers at 7:00 p.m. The next day the Tigers travel south to Bloomington, Indiana to take on the Indiana University Hoosiers at 1:00 p.m.
The Tigers (2-1) are coming off a successful weekend with a victories over Central Missouri State, 41-12 and Princeton University, 37-6. The Tigers won 17 out of a possible 20 matches over the weekend, losing two matches by forfeit. Senior Scott Barker made his first appearance of the year, defeating Princeton's Greg Parker (ranked #3).
The Boilermakers are 6-0 in duals this season. This past weekend the Boilermakers went 3-0 in their own Purdue Duals. They defeated SIU-Edwardsville, 51-0, Wabash College, 49-0 and Northern Illinois, 31-11. Four of the six opponents that the Boilermakers have faced have lost to by 40 points or more. The 51-point victory over SIU is the most lopsided win in Purdue wrestling history.
The Boilermakers have six wrestlers ranked among the nation's top 20 in their respected weight classes. 125-pound sophomore Chris Fleeger leads the way with a #2 ranking. Fleeger is a 2002 NCAA All-American and is joined by five other wrestlers that qualified for the 2002 NCAA's. Purdue finished 15th at the NCAA's.
Last season the Tigers defeated the Boilermakers 18-16 in Columbia, Missouri, however the Boilermakers still lead the all-time dual series 11-6 with one tie. Earlier this season the Boilermakers competed at the Las Vegas Invitational and finished 11th, behind the Tigers. At the Invite, two Mizzou wrestlers faced Boilermaker athletes. Redshirt freshman Jeff Foust was pinned by Ben Wissel in the quarterfinals of the 184-pound weight class and senior Dante Stone defeated Bryan Kapp, 5-2, in the 197-pound weight class.
The Hoosiers (0-2) are looking for their first dual victory of the year. They lost to Rider, 13-20 and Rutgers, 17-19 on November 30 in their only duals of the season. This past weekend the Hoosiers competed at the Northern Iowa Open, placing six wrestlers.
The Hoosiers have three wrestlers ranked in the top 20 in their weight classes. Junior Coyte Cooper is ranked #6 at 141-pounds. He is one of two 2002 NCAA qualifiers on a team that finished 32nd at the NCAA's last season. 197-pounder Pat DeGain is the other 2002 NCAA qualifier, he is currently ranked #10.
Last season the Tigers defeated the Hoosiers 21-16 in Columbia, Missouri. Indiana leads the all-time series 10-5. Indiana competed at the Missouri Open earlier this season and placed nine wrestlers at the Open. DeGain won the 197-pound weight class and Cooper finished third at 141-pounds.