Dec. 2, 2004

After a weekend of rest, the 11th-ranked Missouri wrestling team will travel west for the 23rd annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Dec. 3-4, in the Cashman Center of Las Vegas. This is the Tigers' third consecutive trip to the Invitational.

In all, 45 teams are expected to compete for the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational title. 13 of the country's top-25 nationally ranked teams will attend the two-day event, with No. 2 Nebraska looking to defend its 2003 crown.

Of the nearly 500 wrestlers that will take to center circle, 89 individuals are ranked among the top 20 in the nation at their respective weight. Stacked heaviest this year is the 133 pound weight class. The bracket will boast 11 ranked wrestlers, with six of the top 10 battling it out. For Missouri at 133 pounds, redshirt freshman Tyler McCormick will have his work cut out for him. McCormick is currently 9-2 on the season, recording six major decision victories over his opponents.

Finishing second at the 2003 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, sophomore All-American Ben Askren is back to challenge for the first place crown at 174 pounds. In last year's tournament, Askren tallied two falls on his way to the championship bout, but suffered a 3-2 decision to then-No. 3 Ryan Lange of Purdue. Entering the tournament this season, Askren is 6-1 and ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Sophomore NCAA Qualifier Matt Pell (184) is the only other returning Tiger wrestler that finished among the top five in his weight class at last year's tournament. Pell took third place after winning a 6-2 decision over Cal Poly's Ryan Halsey. Halsey returns to this year's competition as the No. 12 wrestler in the nation, with Pell ranked No. 7.

Wrestling at 165 pounds, senior All-American Tyron Woodley is one of eight wrestlers ranked in his weight class bracket. Only three student-athletes are ranked higher than No. 8 Woodley, entering Friday's first day of action, No. 4 Jacob Klein (Nebraska), No. 5 Ryan Churella (Michigan) and No. 7 Nate Yetzer (Edinboro).

Graduate student Brad Cieleski (157) and junior Chris McCormick (141) will have to wrestle their way through challenging brackets. Both weight classes have 10 individuals ranked among the top 20 in the nation, with Cieleski 12th at 157 pounds and McCormick 15th at 141.

With so many ranked wrestlers battling on the mat, the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational will provide MU non-ranked wrestlers Austin DeVoe (125), T. McCormick (133), Cody Greene (149) and Chase Wetenkamp (HWT) an excellent opportunity to make their mark in the wrestling community.