University of Missouri
Central Missouri State Open
Missouri Wrestling Takes CMSU Open Team Title
11/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 15, 2004
Warrensburg, Mo. - Totaling 460.50 points, the 10th-ranked Missouri wrestling team opened its season on Sunday with a win at the Central Missouri State Open in Warrensburg, Mo. Lindenwood University finished second with 263.50 points, followed by the University of Central Oklahoma in third with 186. Five MU wrestlers finished the all-day tournament in first place, with sophomore Ben Askren (174) recording five straight falls to kick off his 2004-05 campaign.
"This was a learning weekend for us," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "In general, the coaching staff was pleased with the performances we saw on the mats. Just as we expected, the weight classes from 165-197 pounds all picked up right where they left off, in winning stride. I think some of our younger wrestlers were able to learn a lot from the competition and it should have helped better prepare them for the duals and tournaments they have ahead of them."
A native of Hartland, Wis., Askren was one of 14 Tiger wrestlers to record a fall during the tournament. In all, Missouri recorded 21 pins, the most of any of the 21 teams that competed in the CMSU Open. Askren opened the 174 pound bracket by pinning Bret Richardson (Dana College) in 21 seconds. It was Askren's fastest fall of his career and third fastest of the tournament.
Adding points to the Missouri team total was sophomore Matt Pell (184). The Luxemburg, Wis., wrestler earned bonus point for the Tigers with his three falls, technical fall and 11-0 major decision. Pell's fastest pin came in his third match of the day (4:30).
Five Missouri wrestlers earned perfect 5-0 records at the CMSU Open. Wrestling at 141 pounds, junior Chris McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) scored five straight decisions to win his weight class. McCormick paired with Big 12 opponent Eric Ford (Oklahoma) in his second match of the day, eventually winning the 9-4 battle. Three Big 12 schools competed at the CMSU Open; Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Missouri.
Returning senior All-American Tyron Woodley (165) recorded three technical falls in his first tournament appearance of the season. Woodley's fastest tech-fall victory came in his first match of the day when he defeated Oklahoma State Cowboy Taylor Hosick in 3:29. The Tiger captain followed his leadoff performance with a technical fall in 4:42 over John Fichts (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville) and third period victory (5:04) against Donaco Watts (Missouri Valley College). In a match similar to last week's Black and Gold wrestle-offs, Woodley was challenged by freshman Raymond Jordan for the 165 pound CMSU title. Jordan managed three points, but fell short of Woodley's nine point win.
Stepping into his first tournament competition of the season, junior Jeff Foust (Blue Springs, Mo., 197) opened the day with a fall over Michael Kelly in 1:50. The fifth of six Missouri sudden victory matches on the day, Foust held off Plamen Paskalev (Central Missouri State) for the 4-2 decision that advanced him to the championship match. Foust took the 197 pound title with a 5-1 decision over Kevin Lochner of Central Oklahoma.
Four Tiger wrestlers finished second at the CMSU Open, Austin DeVoe (125), Tyler McCormick (133), Brad Cieleski (157) and Raymond Jordan (165).
The Missouri wrestling team will open the dual portion of its schedule Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. against No. 19 Purdue. The dual will be hosted by Missouri at Meramec College in St. Louis in the Meramec Gymnasium. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS or will be available at the door the night of the competition.
For complete results of the CMSU Open please
Players Mentioned
