May 20, 2003

Former Oklahoma wrestler Robbie Waller will join the Missouri wrestling staff next fall, as announced by Brian Smith on Monday. Waller is a four-time NCAA qualifier, a two-time All-American and won the National Championship in 2003 as a senior.

Waller, who will graduate from the University of Oklahoma this summer, compiled a career record of 103-30 in his four years with the Sooner wrestling program. Along with claiming the National Championship last season, he was the runner-up at the Big 12 Conference Championships. In 2000, he was selected to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie First Team.

As a senior, he was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American First Team and he was selected to the Big 12 Commissioners Honor Roll in each of his four years at OU. Waller was an Academic All-Big 12 selection three times.

"Robbie brings a lot to our program," Smith said. "He knows what it takes to win and his experiences as a wrester at one of the top programs in the country will be a great asset for our program. He has been around the Big 12 and has seen our team grow into a national contender and he is excited to become a part of that. We are also excited to have him here at Missouri."

Besides his experiences with the Oklahoma program, Waller has also served as a feature clinician and counselor at several camps including the All-American Wrestling Camps and Clinics in Latrobe, Penn., the Florida Pride Wrestling Camps in Tampa, Fla., and the Jack Spates Oklahoma Gold Camps in Norman, Okla.

Along with assisting with the Tiger wrestlers, Waller will also attend graduate school at Missouri.