Nov. 19, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - The ninth-ranked Missouri wrestling team will open the dual portion of its season Friday, Nov. 21, 2003, by playing host to defending national champion No. 1 Oklahoma State at Hazelwood Central High School in St. Louis. The dual will be the first Big 12 matchup of the season and involves the first (OSU) and second place (MU) finishers from last year's championships in Columbia, Mo. Tickets can be purchased at the door of Hazelwood Central High School beginning at 6 p.m., Friday evening for $10.

"The team and coaching staff are excited about competing in St. Louis," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "Our fans in St. Louis and throughout the state will get a good look at two teams that will be well represented at the NCAA Championships in March."

In Missouri's first dual of the season, Oklahoma State enters with a 2-0 record, earning wins over Tennessee-Chattanooga (29-9) and Michigan State (29-12). Among the list of expected starters for the Tigers and Cowboys are 16 wrestlers in the top 10 of their respective weight class. Senior 2003 NCAA qualifiers Kenny Burleson (157), J.P. Reese (141), Jeremy Spates (149) and junior All-American Tyron Woodley (165) lead the Mizzou lineup, with sophomore Austin DeVoe (125), junior transfer Paul Collum (133) and redshirt freshman Ben Askren (174) making their debut as starters.

Listed on Oklahoma State's roster of expected starters are All-American seniors Johnny Thompson (133) and Tyrone Lewis (165), junior Chris Pendelton (174) and sophomore Jake Rosholt (184).

Several of the matches will be highly contested including the battle at 165-pounds. Senior three time All-American and Big 12 Champion (2001at 174) No. 2 Lewis of OSU will go head-to-head with All-American and Big 12 Champion (2003 at 165) No. 7 Woodley. In their last meeting (Dec. 1, in Stillwater, Okla.), Lewis defeated Woodley with a 12-4 major decision. Since then, Woodley went on to claim the Big 12 Championship and finish eighth at the 2003 NCAA Championships, while Lewis finished in fifth.

Also of interest will be the matchup at 174-pounds as the Cowboy's No. 2 Pendleton will face off with No. 9 Askren of Missouri. The junior Big 12 Champion and All-American of OSU will have his first chance of the season to square off with the younger Askren, a Tiger that was one step shy of earning a berth on the USA World Wrestling Team, and defeated eventual National Champion Robbie Waller at the Missouri Valley College Open on Feb. 1.

"Our team has been preparing long and hard for this season," Smith said. "Friday night's dual should be a good test of where we stand entering the season."

Driving Directions from the Hearnes Center, Columbia, MO., 65211

1. Start out going North on MO-740/N STADIUM BLVD toward BERNADETTE DR. (0.37 miles)

2. Merge onto I-70 E. (107.63 miles)

3. Merge onto I-270 N via exit number 232 toward CHICAGO. (5.62 miles)

4. Take the US-67 N/LINDBERGH BLVD exit- exit number 25B. (0.22 miles)

5. Merge onto N LINDBERGH BLVD/US-67. (2.09 miles)

6. Turn LEFT onto PATTERSON RD. (1.98 miles)

7. Stay straight to go onto GREENWAY CHASE DR. (0.30 miles)

8. Turn LEFT onto NEW HALLS FERRY RD/MO AC. (0.44 miles)