Feb. 8, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The University of Missouri wrestling team continued rewriting their own record books and proving that the Tiger wrestling program should be considered one of the best programs in the country. Today they ended a 39 dual losing streak, dating back to 1927, against the Iowa State Cyclones, defeating them 24-11. The Tigers won 7 out of the possible 10 matches on the way to the history-making victory. The win improved the ninth-ranked Tigers to 13-5 for the season and improved their Big 12 record to 3-1. The win secured second place, the highest regular season finish in the Big 12 for the Tigers in their history. The three conference wins this season are more wins than the Tigers have had combined (2) since the Big 12 was founded. The 15th-ranked Cyclones fall to 5-9 and 0-3 in the Big 12.
The first match of the afternoon started with the 133-pound match. Sophomore Chris McCormick (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley North) lost to the Cyclones' 2002 All-American and third-ranked Zach Roberson by technical fall, 22-7. The win by Roberson gave the Cyclones a 5-0 lead to start off the dual.
The 141-pound bout featured the Tigers 10th-ranked 2002 NCAA qualifier J.P. Reese (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) against 2002 NCAA 141-pound champion and fourth-rankedAaron Holker. Holker scored a quick takedown in the first period and a reversal in the second to hold on for the 6-3 victory. The Cyclones now held a 8-0 advantage.
In a theme that has held true all season, the Tiger middleweights came through and pulled the Tigers out of their deficit. Jeremy Spates (Norman, Okla./Norman) reversed the Tigers fortune defeating Aaron Gallick in an exciting 149-pound match. Gallick led 5-3 heading into the third period. Spates, ranked seventh, recorded a takedown to tie the score, then recorded a nearfall as the time expired to win by decision, 7-5. The victory made the score 8-3, in the Cyclones favor.
The Tigers won the next two matches after Spates exciting match. 11th-ranked Kenny Burleson (Neosho, Mo./Neosho) defeated Nathan Meyer via a 5-2 decision in the 157-pound bout. The win by Burleson set a new personal best in overall wins in a season with his team-leading 29th victory on the year. Burleson extended his dual winning streak to 16 consecutive victories and improved his dual record to 16-1 for the season. In the 165-pound bout sophomore captain and sixth-ranked Tyron Woodley (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) defeated fifth-ranked Nick Passolano 3-1. The three consecutive wins gave the Tigers a 9-8 lead after three bouts.
The Cyclones regained the lead when Ken Cook defeated Matt Turner (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley North) 6-2 in the 174-pound bout. The win by Cook gave the Cyclones a 11-9 lead.
In the 184-pound bout Tiger All-American Scott Barker (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville) continued his dominance of his opponents since returning from injury. He easily defeated 10th-ranked Austen Palmer, 9-2 to keep his record against Big 12 opponents unblemished at 3-0. The victory gave the Tigers a one point advantage over the Cyclones 12-11.
20th-ranked Dante Stone (Calder, Id./North Idaho Junior College) gave the Tigers a some breathing room defeating Woodley Milord by a 16-4 major decision. This increased the Tigers lead to 16-11 with two bouts to go.
In the heavyweight bout the Tigers 14th-ranked Kevin Herron (Imperial, Mo./Fox) defeated 20th-ranked Scott Coleman by major decision, 10-2 to increase the Tigers lead to 20-11 and clinch the victory over the Cyclones. The win was Herron's 25th of the season, setting a new career high in overall wins in a season.
In the final match of the afternoon senior captain Mark Bader (Creve Coeur, Mo./Vianney) defeated Jesse Sundell by major decision, 13-4 in the 125-pound bout to end the scoring at 24-11, Tigers.
The Tigers return to action tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse to take on Wyoming in a nonconference dual meet.
NOTES FROM THE MAT: Missouri Hall of Famer Dr. Edwin Lampitt was honored at intermission and given a standing ovation by the 848 fans in attendance for receiving the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Medal of Courage.