Jan. 7, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri wrestling team continues to make history this season, moving up four spots to third in the nation according to W.I.N. Magazine's Jan. 6, rankings. The highest ranking of any Missouri wresting team throughout the 60-year program, the Tigers are 5-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Big 12 Conference. Oklahoma State continues to stand in first, with Michigan jumping from fourth to second.
Led by head coach Brian Smith, the Tigers opened their season with a win over No. 1 ranked Oklahoma State on Nov. 21, and have continued to find success on the mats over the past few weeks. Defeating No. 16 West Virginia and No. 18 Cal-Poly at the Sun Devil Duals last Sunday, the Tigers were able to move from seventh to third in the nation.
"The team and coaching staff are really pleased about moving up in the polls," Smith said. "We know we need to continue to work hard both at competitions and also in the practice room if we want to achieve the number one ranking. The month of January will provide a tough challenge for us as we continue to face top-ranked opponents. We need to continue to go into each dual fighting for a win if we want to move up even further in the polls."
Big 12 competitor Iowa State dropped from second to fifth, after suffering a loss to No. 11 Arizona State, 22-20, at the Sun Devil Duals. Also slipping in the polls was former No. 3 Nebraska, sliding down five spots to eighth. Oklahoma, currently ranked 13th, was the only other Big 12 school to move up in the polls (formerly No. 15).
In the individual rankings, four Tigers made improvement in their respective weight classes. Senior transfer Mike Whitehead had the greatest move, going from unranked to 16th in the nation. Making his collegiate debut at the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 28, Whitehead finished in second place behind fifth-ranked Cole Konrad of Minnesota.
Seniors J.P. Reese (141) and Kenny Burleson (157) along with junior Paul Collum (133) all moved up one notch in their respective weight classes. Since the last W.I.N. Magazine ranking on Dec. 23, Reese managed to land career-fall number 42, the most of any Missouri wrestler. Burleson also etched his name into the Missouri history books, becoming only the ninth Tiger in MU history to earn 100 wins.
The Missouri wrestling team will travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., this weekend for a three-way meet against No. 15 Ohio State and host school University of Tennessee-Chattanooga on Saturday, Jan. 10, beginning at 11 a.m. CT.