Feb. 11, 2003

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

The eighth-ranked Missouri Tiger wrestling team will travel to Dekalb, Illinois to take on 20th-ranked Northern Illinois in a nonconference dual meet, Sunday, February 16 at 2:05 p.m. in the NIU Convocation Center. The Tigers (14-5, 3-1 Big 12) are coming off two dual victories this past weekend, a 24-11 conference victory over 14th-ranked Iowa State on Saturday and a 39-0 shutout over Wyoming on Sunday. The win over the Cyclones was the Tigers first victory over Iowa State since 1927. The win also clinched a second place finish in the Big 12 conference. The finish is the highest regular season finish by the Tigers in the Big 12. The Tigers three conference victories in one season are more than the combined conference wins (2) since joining the Big 12.

Currently the Tigers are riding a five dual winning streak with wins over then third-ranked Oklahoma (25-20) and ninth-ranked Nebraska (23-14). The 20th-ranked Huskies represent the ninth ranked opponent the Tigers have faced this season. The Tigers are 4-4 against ranked opponents, but the Tigers have won three straight against ranked foes.

Northern Illinois (12-6, 2-1 MAC) heads into the match-up on a winning streak of their own. They have won four straight duals, highlighted by a 16-15 upset victory over then 13th-ranked Central Michigan. This past weekend the Huskies picked up two dual victories, beating Eastern Illinois 42-3 and Southern Illinois 47-3. The Cyclones are 2-5 against ranked teams this season, defeating then fifth-ranked Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio by criteria 20-20 on January 4 at the Buckeye Duals. The Huskies finished 15th at the Midlands Championships. Last season Head Coach Dave Grant led his team to a 26th place finish at the NCAA's. He returns 14 letterwinners including nine starters from a team that went 14-4 last season and 4-1 in the MAC. 2002 NCAA All-American and the 2002 MAC Wrestler of the Year Scott Owen is the top returnne. Owen finished fifth at the NCAA's at 157-pounds and is gunning for the championship this season.

The Tigers lead the all-time series against the Huskies, 10-1. The only victory by the Huskies occurred in Tigers Head Coach Brian Smith's first season. The Huskies defeated the Tigers 21-15 in 1999. Last season the Tigers won seven matches enroute to a 28-9 victory in Columbia, Missouri.

Weight-by-Weight Preview

125 lbs.- Senior co-captain Mark Bader (Creve Coeur/Vianney) has wrestled seven top-25 wrestlers this year including five top-ten wrestlers. Bader is currently on a three match winning streak, winning the matches by a combined score of 35-4. Bader is 16-14 this season including 10-7 in duals. Redshirt freshman Austin DeVoe (Columbus, Kan./Columbus United) is another possibility for the Tigers, he is 11-2 and 3-0 in duals wres- tling at 125-pounds. DeVoe was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Missouri Valley College Open 8, winning the 125-pound championship. NIU's Marlon Felton is a four-year letterwinner and has won four straight dual matches, including going 2-0 over the weekend. Felton is 9-5 this season with four pins.

133 lbs.- Sophomore Chris McCormick (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley North) is the top 133-pounder for the Tigers. He has a dual record of 7-7. DeVoe is also capable of wrestling at 133-pounds. The Huskies have Sam Hiatt at 133-pounds. Hiatt is second on the team with 18 wins. A 2002 Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie selection, Hiatt is 13-4 in duals this season. Last season Hiatt beat McCormick, 10-5.

141 lbs.- 2002 NCAA Qualifier J.P. Reese (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) is currently ranked 12th for the Tigers. He has a record of 22-10, good for third 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 overall falls with 14 and has 32 career pins. Redshirt Freshman Josh Wooten is the reigning MAC Wrestler of the Week. Against Central Michigan he defeated top-ranked and 2002 All-American Josh Mester. Currently ranked 19th, he is tied for the team lead in wins with 21, with four of the victories coming against ranked opponents. He finished seventh at the prestigious Midlands Championships and third at the Michigan State Open. For Reese this will be his tenth match against a ranked opponent.

149 lbs.- 2000 NCAA Qualifier and junior co-captain Jeremy Spates (Norman, Ok./Norman) is currently ranked seventh for the Tigers. He has a record of 20-4 including a dual record of 12-3. He is 4-2 against ranked opponents this season including a victory over then seventh-ranked Travis Shufelt of Nebraska. Spates has won sixth straight matches, most recently beating Wyomings' Patrick Shuler to pick up his 75th career victory. Huskie senior Oliver Vazquez won two matches this past weekend to improve his record to 10-12.

157 lbs.- Junior Kenny Burleson (Neosho, Mo./Neosho) is one the hottest wrestlers not only in the Big 12, but in the NCAA this season. He is currently ranked 10th in the country and leads the Tigers in both overall and dual wins (30-4/17-1). He has amassed 81 career wins including a career dual record of 42-9. Currently he has won 17 straight matches and looks to continue his winning ways against the Huskies. It won't be easy against the Huskies, they counter with 2002 NCAA All-American Scott Owen. Owen, currently ranked third in the country, has been struggling with injuries but still has a record of 13-1, his lone loss to top-ranked Luke Becker. He last participated at the NWCA All-Star Classic, losing to second-ranked Keaton Anderson. He leads the Huskies with 10 total falls.

165 lbs.- 2002 NCAA Qualifier and sophomore co-captain Tyron Woodley (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) is currently ranked fifth for the Tigers. He is tied for second on the Tigers' with 26 dual victories including 14-4 in duals this season. He is 10-4 against ranked opponents this season. He leads the team in major decisions with 10. He will face Jeremy Bennesh. Bennesh is 12-12 on the season as the Huskies top 165-pounder.

174 lbs.- Sophomore Matt Turner (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley North) broke out of his slump with a 5-2 decision over Wyomings' Trevor Murray on Sunday. The win even-upped Turner's record at 13-13 for the season, despite fighting nagging injuries all year. Sophomore John Sioredas (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) stepped in at the 174-pound weight class against Nebraska and impressed the coaching staff with his tough- ness. Last season he started the season as the starter at 157-pounds before injuring himself. This season he has compiled a record of 17-8, going 1-1 in duals as a 174-pounder. Senior Bill Lowney or sophomore George Kirgan will wrestle at 174-pounds for the Huskies. Combined they have a record of 12-12 this season. Kirgan had a fifth place finish at the Michigan State Open in November.

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 fifth, with a dual record of 10-1 including six falls. He has faced four ranked opponents this season going 3-1 with his only loss of the season against Northern Iowa's Jordan Holm, who is currently ranked 11th. He will face eighth-ranked Ben Heizer. Heizer is tied for the Huskie lead in wins with 21. The returning 2002 MAC 184-pound champion has suffered only three losses this season. He finished seventh at the Midlands Championships, joining teammate Josh Wooten as the only placers for the Huskies at the prestigious event. He is the only returnee that won a match against the Tigers last season. He defeated Dante Stone, 10-4.

197 lbs.- Senior Dante Stone (Calder, Id./North Idaho Junior College) is ranked 18th with a record of 21-11 and a dual record of 11-7 for the Tigers. He has a won three consecutive matches including a 3-2 decision over then 18th-ranked Kevin Kessner of Wyoming on Sunday. He has faced 10 ranked opponents this season, beating two top-ten opponents and three ranked opponents all-together. Redshirt freshman Jeff Foust (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) can fill in at both 184 and 197-pounds. Combined he is 21-8 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). Most recently he won the 184-pound championship at the Missouri Valley College Open 8. Senior James Oliva is the Huskies top 197-pounder. He has a record of 16-8 with two wins coming this past week- end via forfeit.

HWT- Senior Kevin Herron (Imperial, Mo./Fox) is the all-time falls leader at the University of Missouri with 40 career pins. Ranked 14th, he leads both the Tigers and the Big 12 in overall falls (17) and dual falls (12). This past Sunday he tied Mark Cody (1984-85) for the all-time single season pin record with his 17th pin of the year on 19th-ranked Brad Steele of Wyoming. He has an overall record of 26-6 and dual record of 17-2. He is 6-3 against top-25 opponents, including two wins against top-five wrestlers. He will look to break the record against NIU's Jack Dennis. Dennis is 9-9 for the season, winning two matches this past weekend for the Huskies.