March 8, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The University of Missouri wrestling team continues to improve on what is already considered to be one of the best seasons in school history. The Tigers finished second behind Oklahoma State for the 2003 Big 12 Conference Championship. The second place finish by the Tigers is the best finish ever by a Tiger wrestling team in a conference championship. The nations top-ranked team, Oklahoma State finished with 101.5 points, the most team points ever scored at the Big 12 Championships. The Tigers finished with 55.5 team points, the most points ever accumulated at the Big 12 by a Tiger team. Oklahoma finished third with 51.5 points followed by Nebraska (39.5 points) and Iowa State (26.5).
The Tigers had seven wrestlers finished in the top-three places of their respected weight classes. The top three wrestlers in each class automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships on March 20-22 in Kansas City, Missouri. J.P. Reese (141-lbs.), Jeremy Spates (149-lbs.), Kenny Burleson (157-lbs.), Tyron Woodley (165-lbs.), Scott Barker (184-lbs.), Dante Stone (197-lbs.) and Kevin Herron (heavyweight). Sophomore Jon Sioredas was chosen as a first alternate for the NCAAs by league coaches in the wildcard meeting. The seven NCAA qualifiers for the Tigers are the most NCAA qualifiers by a Tiger team.
Woodley (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) became the first Missouri Big 12 champion in school history. He defeated tenth-ranked Nick Passolano (Iowa State) 5-1 in a tiebreaker. After three periods Woodley and Passolano were all tied up at one apiece. Woodley attacked Passolano from the very start of the extra session and recorded a takedown and subsequent takedown.
This will be Woodley's second NCAA Championship appearance after qualifying last season.
Barker (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville) joined Woodley as a Big 12 champion in the 184-pound bout. Barker easily defeated 13th-ranked Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) with a 9-1 major decision. Barker used three takedowns to record the Championship rounds only bonus point bout of the evening. Barker, a 2002 NCAA All-American at 197-pounds, will attend is second NCAAs in as many years.
The Tigers just missed having two other Big 12 Champions in Herron and Burleson. Each finished second in their championship matches.
Burleson (Neosho, Mo./Neosho) lost a tough 8-5 decision to third-ranked Shane Roller. The match had two lead changes and two ties. With less than a minute left and the scored tied up at 5 apiece, Burleson went for the take down, but missed and Roller used it to his benefit and recorded a takedown of his own to score two and claim the victory. The loss snapped Burleson's 18-match win streak. This will be Burleson's first NCAA appearance.
Herron (Imperial, Mo./Fox) had his match all but won against 17th-ranked Willie Gruenwald in the heavyweight bout. With the score tied up at two, Herron had riding time and just had to hold on to Gruenwald for :40 seconds to record the win. Gruenwald tried to break Herron's grip a number of times before succeeding with :04 seconds left in the match to score the reversal and win 4-3. Herron will be making his first NCAA appearance.
The Tigers had three wrestlers qualify out of the consolation-third place matches. Three Tigers finished won their matches to gain the NCAA birth.
Reese (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) beat defending NCAA Champion and fourth-ranked Aaron Holker in his consolation first round match to advance to the third place match. He faced Nebraska's Dusty Spaulding, who had earlier defeated Reese 3-2 in the first round. Reese easily beat Spaulding via a 12-2 major decision. The win qualified Reese for his second NCAA Championship.
Spates (Norman, Okla./Norman) took on Nate Gallick (Iowa State) in the third place match for the NCAA bid. Spates scored a 4-0 victory over Gallick to qualify him for his second NCAA Championship.
Stone (Calder, Id./North Idaho Junior College) defeated 17th-ranked Tom Grossman (Oklahoma), 7-1 in the 197-pound bout to earn his first NCAA bid.
Sioredas finished fourth to round out the Tigers top finishers.
NOTES FROM THE MAT: Oklahoma's Teyon Ware was named the Big 12 Championships Most Outstanding Wrestler...This is Oklahoma State's fifth title in seven years...The Big 12 sends 36 wrestlers to the NCAAs. 30 are from the top three finishers in each of the ten weight classes and an additional six other wrestlers are chosen as wild-card entrants.