Jan. 29, 2003

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

The 11th-ranked Missouri Tiger wrestling team will host ninth-ranked Nebraska in a Big 12 conference dual meet in the Hearnes Center Arena Friday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. The Tigers (10-5, 1-1 Big 12) are coming off their 25-20 dual win over then 3rd-ranked Oklahoma. The win over the Sooners was the highest ranked team the Tigers have ever beaten. The win also provided Head Coach Brian Smith with his 50th victory as the Tigers' coach.

This will be the first conference dual for the Cornhuskers this season. The Huskers improved to 13-4 in duals with its 29-12 victory over Wyoming this past weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Huskers have had many quality victories this season, defeating then 12-ranked Arizona State, fourth-ranked Illinois, 21st-ranked Hofstra, placing second at the Mat Town Invitational and sixth at the Las Vegas Invitational.

Nebraska leads the all-time series against the Tigers, 33-14-3. The 33 wins by the Huskers are the most all-time victories Nebraska has against any opponent, with the Huskers winning 12 of the last 15 meetings. Last season the Tigers pulled off their biggest upset of the season defeating the ninth-ranked Huskers, 24-16 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Last season's victory was Missouri's first Big 12 victory in school history and their first victory over the Huskers since a 18-16 victory in 1988.

Weight-by-Weight Preview

125 lbs.- Senior co-captain Mark Bader (Creve Coeur/Vianney) had his three-bout winning streak snapped against Oklahoma. He lost a tightly contested battle to seventh-ranked Bo Maynes, 4-1. It doesn't get any easier for Bader as he faces third-ranked Jason Powell, the sixth top-ten opponent Bader has faced this season. Powell is a 2002 All-American and has a dual record of 15-1 this season. Currently he is riding a seven-match winning streak.

133 lbs.- Sophomore Chris McCormick (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley North) is the top 133-pounder for the Tigers. He has a dual record of 5-5. Redshirt freshman Austin DeVoe (Columbus, Kan./Columbus United) is also capable of wrestling at 133-pounds. The Huskers Joey Malia is ranked 15th and has a dual record of 11-3.

141 lbs.- 2002 NCAA Qualifier J.P. Reese (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) is currently ranked 13th for the Tigers. He has a record of 20-9, good for fourth on the team including a 4-2 victory over then #2 Nate Parker (Oklahoma) at the Missouri Open. He ranks second in the Big 12 in falls with 13 and has 29 career pins. Nebraska's have two wrestlers that are capable of holding their own in dual action. Sophomore Matt Murray is the leading contender with his 11-3 dual record. Junior Dusty Spaulding is 3-3 this season including a dual record of 1-2.

149 lbs.- 2000 NCAA Qualifier and junior co-captain Jeremy Spates (Norman, Ok./Norman) is currently ranked eighth for the Tigers. He has a record of 16-4 including a dual record of 8-3. He is 3-2 against ranked opponents this season. Seventh-ranked Travis Shufelt is a 2002 NCAA Qualifier. He is the Jan.13 Big 12 Wrestler-of-the-Week. Ranks third in the Big 12 with 10 falls, including six by pin. He too has a current winning streak, with his sitting at seven wins.

157 lbs.- Junior Kenny Burleson (Neosho, Mo./Neosho) is one the hottest wrestlers in the Big 12 this season. He is currently ranked 11th in the country and leads the Tigers in both overall and dual wins (26-4/13-1). Currently he has won 13 straight matches and looks to continue his winning ways against the Huskers' Nate McMillin. McMillin is 17-15 this season, including a dual record of 5-8.

165 lbs.- 2002 NCAA Qualifier and sophomore co-captain Tyron Woodley (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) is currently ranked seventh for the Tigers. He ranks second on the Tigers' with 23 dual victories. He is 11-3 in duals this season and 1-1 in conference. He is 7-4 against ranked opponents this season. Redshirt freshman Husker Jacob Klein is ranked 17th at 165-pounds. Klein is 17-8 this season with a dual record of 13-4.

174 lbs.- Junior Matt Turner (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley North) has an overall record of 12-12 as the top 174- pounder for the Tigers. 2002 NCAA Qualifier Travis Pascoe is ranked eighth for the Huskers. He has a dual record of 12-5 and leads the Big 12 in takedowns in duals with 65.

184 lbs.- 2002 NCAA All-American Scott Barker (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville) is wrestling at 184-pounds this season. After battling injuries earlier this season he is healthy now and is currently ranked fourth, with a dual record of 6-1 including four falls. B.J. Padden is ranked 13th with a 17-8 overall record for the Huskers. He owns a 3-3 record against ranked opponents.

197 lbs.- Senior Dante Stone (Calder, Id./North Idaho Junior College) is ranked 19th with a record of 18-10 and a dual record of 8-6 for the Tigers. Redshirt freshman Jeff Foust (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) can fill in at both 184 and 197-pounds. Combined he is 17-8 overall and 7-2 in duals this season, including 1-0 in the Big 12 with a win over then No. 10 Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State). The Huskers have 2002 All-American Justin Ruiz back from injury, he had been out since Dec. 6 with a hamstring injury. Despite injury he is still ranked third.

HWT- Senior Kevin Herron (Imperial, Mo./Fox) is the all-time falls leader at the University of Missouri with 38 pins. Ranked 15th, he leads both the Tigers and the Big 12 leader in overall falls (15) and dual falls (10) this season. He has an overall record of 22-6 and dual record of 13-2. He is 4-3 against top-25 opponents, including two wins against top-five wrestlers. The Huskers will send out either sophomore Mitch Manstedt or junior Nathan McClain. Both are a combined 30-11 this season, including a dual record of 13-4.