Jan. 30, 2004

Coming off of a five-week stretch that included travel to North Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, Ohio and Nebraska, the fourth-ranked Missouri wrestling team returns to Columbia for its third home dual of the season against Lindenwood on Friday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. , in the Hearnes Center Arena.

The dual against Lindenwood will be one of two held in the arena of the Hearnes Center throughout the 2003-04 season.

Entering the competition, Missouri holds a 6-0 lead in the all-time series record with Lindenwood. Lindenwood is one of 50 schools the Tigers have managed to hold to no wins. Head Coach Brian Smith looks forward to what has become an annual pairing between the two schools.

"We really haven't competed in front of our home crowd in about six weeks," Smith said. "I'm hopeful that a lot of our fans will turn out and show their support for the team. It really means a lot to everyone involved, and we're excited to give the crowd a great competition."

Lindenwood and Missouri first met in the Tiger's 1994-95 season-opener in Jefferson City. Under the guidance of former head coach Wes Roper, Missouri took a 41-4 win on Dec. 6. On two ocassions Missouri has managed to hold the Lions to zero points, 1996-97 and 2002-03. Several Tigers are expected to rotate into Missouri's starting lineup this Friday. While sophomores Austin DeVoe (125) and Jeff Foust (197) along with seniors J.P. Reese (141) Kenny Burleson (157) and Mike Whitehead (HWT) and redshirt freshman Ben Askren will take their turns at their respective weights, redshirt freshman Amond Prater and true freshman Brett Watkins will vye for a spot at 133-pounds. Redshirt freshman Gabe Conaghan will more than likely lead at 165 pounds, with junior J.C. Russell taking the mat at 184. Junior Cody Greene is a strong candidate to fill in at 149 pounds. With senior Jeremy Spates preparing for the All-Star Duals Competition on Feb. 5, at Northern Iowa, Greene is expected to take the mat with a 9-1 record, his only loss of the season coming to teammate Spates at the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29.

With a loss to Oklahoma State and Nebraska in the past, the team hopes to regain focus and and intensity.

"January isn't the time to panic about losses to two top-ranked programs," Smith said. "We need to focus and work on our weaknesses and prepare for the challenges ahead of us."

Tickets for the Missouri/Lindenwood dual are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children.