University of Missouri
Indiana
Missouri Wrestling Takes Win Over Indiana
12/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 13, 2003
Columbia, Mo. - Improving to 2-0 on the season, the eighth-ranked Missouri wrestling program scored a victory over Indiana 29-15 in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse. Key wins were earned by senior captain Kenny Burleson (157), junior All-American Tyron Woodley (165), and redshirt freshmen Ben Askren (174) and Matt Pell (184). The win was Missouri's sixth in 17 meetings against Indiana, and first since the 2001-02 season.
Burleson (Neosho, Mo.) scored his first fall in 26 matches against J.P. Stanley in the 157-pound weight class. Entering the second period with four takedowns and a two point near fall, Burleson (sixth-ranked) scored one final takedown before dropping Stanley in 3:45. Burleson's last fall came at home against Missouri Valley on Jan. 10, 2003, against Pat Giangrosso (4:27).
Weighing in at 165-pounds, 12th ranked Woodley (Ferguson, Mo.) won in a 14-3 major decision over Tim Falls. Dominating the second period of the match, Woodley claimed an escape, two-point near fall and two takedowns to bring the score to 12-2. With a final takedown in the third period, Woodley walked away with his eighth win of the season.
Sixth-ranked Askren (Hartland, Wis.) had his arm raised after winning 9-0 over Brady Richardson. The uncontested match saw Askren earn a takedown in the first period, and an escape, takedown and three- point near fall in the third period.
In one of the most intense matchups of the afternoon, No. 10 Pell (Luxemburg, Wis.) took the dual into the final seconds with an 8-7 decision. Entering the third period with a 3-2 score, both Pell and Rios scored escapes and takedowns. In the end, it was Pell who was able to hold off Rios for the win. Pell improves to 15-2 on the season.
The Tigers suffered upsets at 125-, 141- and 197-pounds. Sophomore Austin DeVoe (Columbus, Kan.) opened the day with a loss to Joe Dubuque at 125 pounds (7-5), while sophomore Jeff Foust (Blue Springs, Mo., 197) fell to eighth ranked Pat DeGain, 4-1, in the final match of the day.
In their seventh meeting since starting their college wrestling careers, senior J.P. Reese (Rochester Hills, Mich., 141) fell to Coyte Cooper in an 11-4 major decision. Cooper recorded five consecutive takedowns and earned riding time over Reese, who was unable to do more than escape four times.
Three forfeits helped bring the final score to 29-15. Indiana's Nick Spatola (133) and Matt McIntire (149) and Missouri's Clint Freeman (HWT) all turned in forfeits for their respective schools.
"I'm happy about the win today," head coach Brian Smith said. "The team is really making progress in some areas, but we still need to improve in a few weights if we would like to achieve our goal of becoming a national championship program."
The Missouri wrestling team will see their final action of the 2003 year on Dec. 28-29, at the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, N.C. With 21 schools expected to attend, the two-day event should provide some unique matchups for the Tigers.
