Jan. 15, 2005
Hampton, Va. - Competing in their second dual of the day and fourth of the 25th annual Virginia Duals, 12th ranked Missouri advanced in the consolation bracket after defeating No. 19 Edinboro 27-12. Missouri is now 11-2 on the season and will take on Rider in their third dual of the day at 5 p.m. (CT).
Setting the Tigers on a string of wins, No. 12 Chris McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) held on for a 3-1 decision over Edinboro's Ron Doppelheuer at 141 pounds. Scoreless through the first period, McCormick earned the bouts' first points with an escape and followed with a takedown late in the third. The win moves McCormick to 23-5 on the season and 49-37 on his career.
In what was arguably the duals most exciting match, redshirt freshman Josh Wagner (Milton, Wis.) came through with a three-point nearfall over Zach Plerhoples in the final seconds of action to win his 149 pound bout 10-9. Wagner trailed the Fighting Scotsman 8-4 entering the third period but racked up an early escape, takedown and three-point nearfall for the final victory.
Once again wrestling at 157 pounds, senior Cody Greene (St. Charles, Mo.) recorded his second consecutive fall of the day, dropping Hayden Harrison in 52 seconds. Greene's fall was the fastest of any Missouri wrestler throughout the course of the two-day Virginia Duals which included duals with The Citadel, Tennessee-Chattanooga, North Carolina and Edinboro.
In the only match of the dual that featured two top 15 ranked wrestlers, senior co-captain Tyron Woodley (Ferguson, Mo.), ranked eighth at 165 pounds, paired with No. 11 Nate Yetzer and won an 11-4 decision that gave the Tigers a 16 point lead over Edinboro. The win was Woodley's 98th of his career and 25th of the 2004-05 campaign.
Battling with Eric Ring at 174 pounds, sophomore Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) scrambled for a 12-2 major decision. Askren holds the longest Missouri consecutive wins record of the season and is one win away from tying the 22 year old Missouri consecutive wins record set by Khris Whelan during the 1982-83 season.
Jeff Foust (Blue Springs, Mo.) scored the Tigers' second major decision victory of the dual, manhandling Mike LaBella 15-4 at 197 pounds.
Ranked 20th in the nation at 133 pounds, Tyler McCormick fought hard with No. 1 Shawn Bunch of Edinboro. The match was close and resulted in an 8-5 los s for McCormick. McCormick scored his only takedown of the bout early in the third period.
125 pound wrestler Tim Kephart gave the Tigers an early four point team lead with his major decision over Greg Sill. Kephart recorded two, two-point nearfalls and aa three point nearfall with one reversal coming in both the second and third period.
Tristan Hansen (Carrollton, Texas) suffered a loss at 184 pounds. Battling with Jim Gibson, Hansen and his opponent were tied at two heading into the second period. Gibson broke ahead with an escape and takedown, while Hansen retaliated with a reversal. Scoreless through the final period, it was Gibson who walked away with the one point win.
Wt. Wrestler over Wrestler: Result MU EU 125 Tim Kephart (MU) major dec. Greg Sill (EU): 14-3 4 0 133 #1 Shawn Bunch decision #20 Tyler McCormick (MU): 8-5 4 3 141 #12 Chris McCormick (MU) decision Ron Doppelheuer (EU): 3-1 7 3 149 Josh Wagner (MU) decision Zach Plerhoples (EU): 10-9 10 3 157 #16 Cody Greene (MU) fall Hayden Harrison (EU): :52 16 3 165 #8 Tyron Woodley (MU) decision #11 Nate Yetzer (EU): 11-4 19 3 174 #2 Ben Askren (MU) major dec. Eric Ring (EU): 12-2 23 3 184 Jim Gibson (EU) decision Tristan Hansen (MU): 5-4 23 6 197 #18 Jeff Foust (MU) major dec. Mike LaBella (EU): 15-4 27 6 HWT Edinboro win by forfeit 27 12Missouri Lineup and Updated Records: Season (Career) 125-Tim Kephart: 18-10 (18-10) 133-#20 Tyler McCormick: 17-9 (17-9) 141-#12 Chris McCormick: 23-5 (49-37) 141-Josh Wagner: 12-5 (12-5) 149-#16 Cody Greene: 21-4 (60-21) 157-#14 Brad Cieleski: 19-5 (19-5) 165-#8 Tyron Woodley: 25-3 (98-35) 174-#2 Ben Askren: 23-0 (55-5) 184-#9 Matt Pell: 25-4 (56-16) 184-Tristan Hansen: 11-4 (41-27) 197-#18 Jeff Foust: 20-4 (65-25) HWT-Chase Wetenkamp: 20-11 (20-11)