March 22, 2003
Complete Results | Photo Gallery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -
Junior Scott Barker (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville) and sophomore Tyron Woodley (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) each suffered losses on the final day of the 2003 NCAA Wrestling Championships at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. Woodley lost to Frank Edwards (Navy) in the seventh place match of the 165-pound weight class. Barker lost to tenth seed Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State in the championship match of the 184-pound weight class, ending Barker's bid in becoming the Tiger's first NCAA champion. Woodley and Barker each finished as All-Americans, the first time Missouri has had two All-Americans since 1995 (Kenny Liddell & Mike Collins). As a team the Tigers finished in 16th place with 34 points. The 16th place was the best finish at the NCAAs since the 1992 team finished 16th. The 34 points are the most points ever scored at the NCAAs by a Tiger team, surpassing the 29 points scored by both the 1984 and 2002 team.
Rosholt and Barker had met once before, in the finals at the 2003 Big 12 Championships. Barker dominated Rosholt in scoring the 9-1 major decision and winning the Big 12 Championship. Rosholt learned from his earlier mistakes and knew if he would have a chance at beating Barker he would have to wrestle the perfect match. Rosholt did just that, upsetting Barker with a 13-5 major decision to win the 2003 184-pound National Championship.
His second place finish ties him with Shaon Fry (1993) for the best finish ever by a Missouri Tiger. He is the first back-to-back All-American since Fry accomplished the feat during the 93-94 season.Barker closes out the season with a record of 18-2.
Woodley's match against Edwards for seventh place did not go in his favor. Woodley lost to Edwards, 3-0. Woodley finished eighth and captured his first All-American honor in his second trip to the NCAAs. Woodley went 3-2 at this years NCAA and has a career record of 6-4 at the NCAAs. Woodley finished the season with an overall record of 31-9. The 31 wins are a career best for Woodley.
MISSOURI RECAP AND HIGHLIGHTS:
* Senior Kevin Herron set the all-time Missouri season pin record. He recorded his 18th pin of the year against John Paxton (Army) in the second round of the consolation round. His pin increased his school record for pins in a career to 41.
* Missouri freshman Amond Prater (133-lbs.) gave a stirring rendition of the National Anthem in front of 16,436 wrestling fans during the opening ceremonies.
* Missouri Hall-of Fame wrestler Dr. Ed Lampitt was honored by the NCAA as a Honor Guard escort and awards presenter.