Feb. 2, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Senior Missouri wrestler Jeremy Spates (149 pounds) will compete in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic, tonight at 8 p.m., in the University of Northern Iowa UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The two-time NCAA qualifier will wrestle Cornell's Dustin Manotti at 149 pounds. Currently, Spates and Manotti are ranked fourth and third in the nation, respectively.

Known to draw some of the finest wrestlers from across the nation, Spates wrestled in an exhibition match at 149 pounds at the 2000 NWCA All-Star Classic in Hempstead, N.Y.. Competing against Hofstra's Jason DeBruin, Spates won the match in a 6-0 decision.

"I had an awesome experience when I competed in the exhibition round of the All-Star Classic two years ago," Spates said. "The crowd was loud and the level of competition that I saw was really high. I'm looking forward to wrestling against Manotti. He's someone I probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet with during regular season."

With a 20-4 season record and 98-34 career record, Spates has taken several impressive season victories over top-ranked opponents, including third-ranked Travis Shufelt of Nebraska. Over the past two months, Spates has taken first place at both the Missouri Open and Southern Scuffle and is only three wins shy of becoming the 10th Tiger in Missouri history to break the 100-win mark.