University of Missouri
NCAA Championships
Missouri's Barker Takes Sixth at NCAA Championships
3/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 23, 2002
ALBANY, N.Y. - University of Missouri sophomore wrestler Scott Barker became Mizzou's first All-American since 1998 by taking sixth place in the 197-pound weight class.
On Saturday, the fifth seeded Barker lost in the consolation semifinals to third seeded Owen Elzen of Minnesota 7-0. He then lost to Nebraska's Justin Ruiz in the fifth place match by a 7-6 decision.
Barker finished 4-3 in his first appearance at the NCAA Championships. He concluded the season with a 26-6 overall record.
Three other Tigers, senior John Kopnisky, sophomore J.P. Reese and redshirt freshman Tyron Woodley, also competed in Albany this week.
Kopnisky, a three-time NCAA Championships qualifier, was 2-2 at nationals and reached the quarterfinals. He completed his career at Mizzou with a 106-35, which puts him in fourth place on the all-time wins list at MU.
Reese was also 2-2, reaching the quarterfinals in the 141-pound class. Reese, making his first appearance at nationals, finished the season with a 25-11 overall record.
Woodley was 3-2 in his first trip to the NCAA Championships. He finished the season 21-12 overall.
With the sixth place finish, Barker earns All-American honors, as the top eight in each weight class become All-Americans. Barker is the first Tiger to earn All-American status since Mike Harp finished sixth in the 1998 NCAA Championships.
Missouri finished 17th in the overall team standings with 29 points. That is the best finish at the NCAA Championships for the Tigers since they finished 26th in 1992. The 29 team points is the most since they recorded 29 points in 1984.
Minnesota won the team title for the second consecutive year.
