Feb. 21, 2004

Wrestling in their second dual in four days, fifth-ranked Missouri will meet with seventh-ranked Oklahoma to close out the 2003-04 regular-season campaign at home. Set to begin at noon on Sunday, Feb. 22, in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse, MU Head Coach Brian Smith is expected to use his full starting lineup with Austin DeVoe (125), Brett Watkins (133), J.P. Reese (141), Jeremy Spates (149), Kenny Burleson (157), Tyron Woodley (165), Ben Askren (174), Matt Pell (184), Jeff Foust (197) and Mike Whitehead (HWT).

Marking the sixth dual of the season where the Tigers have faced off with a top-10 team, Missouri hopes to improve on its 1-3 Big 12 record.

The Sooners hold a 38-3 all-time series record lead, but took a surprising 25-20 loss in their last meeting with the Tigers on Jan. 26, 2003, in Norman, Okla. Helping to secure the Tigers 2003 victory were seniors Jeremy Spates (149), Kenny Burleson (157) and junior Tyron Woodley (165). The win marked Smith's 50th career-victory at Missouri and gave the Tigers the biggest upset in wrestling school history...that is, until they knocked of No. 1 Oklahoma State at the start of the 2003-04 campaign.

Looking for a second win over Oklahoma in 10 years, Missouri brings eight ranked wrestlers to the mat, with Oklahoma slated to wrestle seven.

Closing out the regular-season at home, Missouri will recognize the five seniors (Kenny Burleson, J.P. Reese, Ian Semelroth, Jeremy Spates and Mike Whitehead) on the fifth-ranked team, that have helped bring the program to its national prominence.

"The five seniors that are graduating are from one of the first recruiting classes that I brought into Missouri," Smith said. "They've really helped to build the program and I'm pleased with all that they've accomplished over the past few years. It will be hard to see them go."

The Tigers will have one week off from matches before heading to Ames, Iowa, for the eighth annual Big 12 Championships on March 6 in Hilton Coliseum.