University of Missouri
Southern Scuffle Day 1
Missouri Wrestling Leads Southern Scuffle in Day One
12/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 28, 2003
Greensboro, N.C. - Wrestling in day one of the Southern Scuffle, the eighth-ranked Missouri Tigers head into Monday's championships in first place with 100 points, and 13 individuals qualifying for final rounds of competition. Ninth-ranked Minnesota stands in second with 99.50 points. The second full-day of wrestling will begin Monday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m., with semi-finals starting at noon and finals expected at 6 p.m.
Hosted by the University of North Carolina Greensboro in Fleming Gymnasium, 10 of the Tigers 35 matches were won by falls with four wins earned by technical falls.
Eight Missouri wrestlers will advance to the semi-finals of tomorrow's competition. Senior J.P. Reese went a perfect 4-0 on the day, with a technical fall against David Metzler (VMI, 19-3), advancing to his second match and earning his 39th career-pin over Mike Booth (UNC, 6:30). Reese currently stands in second place on Missouri's all-time career-falls list, just shy of recent graduate Kevin Herron (HWT, 41). In his final match of the evening, Reese scored a 10-2 major decision over Anthony Constantino of Columbia College.
Making his Missouri wrestling debut, 11th-ranked senior transfer Mike Whitehead finished the day with a 2-0 record, earning his first win in a 2-0 decision over Stanley Foster of East Struodsburg. Whitehead later took a pin over Billy Linane of the Citadel in 2:22. In Monday's semi-finals, Whitehead will face-off against eighth ranked Carmelo Marrero of Rider.
With two Tigers competing at 149-pounds, senior captain Jeremy Spates and junior Cody Greene both will head to the mats for the semi-finals. Spates was 2-0 on the day with falls, the first coming against Dennis Whitby (Old Dominion) in a time of 2:34, with the second recorded in 4:34 against Andre Soliman of Duke. Spates will pair up with Deonte Penn (Edinboro) in the semi-finals beginning at 10 a.m.
Greene, 3-0 dropped Daniel Elliott (Gardner Webb) in his first match of the day. Elliott was pinned in 1:32, while Greene advanced to a dual against 19th-ranked Reed Carpenter (Virginia Tech), winning a 15-7 major decision. Greene rounded out the evening with a final 9-6 decision over Matt Hill of Edinboro.
Senior 2003 NCAA Qualifier Kenny Burleson also helped Missouri to its first place showing, with two technical falls (Brandon Foose, Duke: 22-5; Jason Kiesslig, Maryland: 21-5) and a fall over Paul Dunston (UVA), in 2:49 seconds. The fall was Burleson's second of the season, and fifth of his career.
All-American Tyron Woodley managed a 3-0 day and will face off against Jake Volkman (Minnesota) in the semi-finals. With a major decision (Keith Smith, East Stoudsburg: 12-0), technical fall (Conor Manley, unattached: 16-0) and decision (Michael Mitchell, Duke: 9-1), Woodley is now 11-4 on the season.
Weighing in at 174-pounds was redshirt freshman Ben Askren. Askren dropped two of his opponents (Marc O'Hair, Davidson: 2:23; Jeremiah Frederick, Slippery Rock: 4:16) and scored an 11-2 win over Levi Craig of Duke.
Continuing his winning streak, redshirt freshman Matt Pell was 3-0 on the day with wins over Steve McClamorack (UNCG, F: 1:20), Matt Humphries (NC State, Medical Frft.) and Brandon Mihalko (East Stroudsburg, decision: 6-4).
Sophomore Jeff Foust will weigh in against Canaan Prater (Virginia Tech) in the semi-finals of tomorrow's competition. Foust pulled out wins over Jared Terrell (Rider, 5-3) and Venron July (UNC, 9-1).
Four ranked teams, including Missouri, are competing for team titles in the inaugural year of the Southern Scuffle. Missouri entered the tournament ranked eighth, with Minnesota in ninth, Penn State in 13th and Edinboro in 23.
For full results please visit, www.uncgspartans.com.
-MU-
