March 5, 2005

Omaha, Neb. - Competing in the ninth annual Big 12 Wrestling Championships at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb., three Missouri wrestlers, Brad Cieleski (157), Tyron Woodley (165) and Ben Askren (174) advanced to the championship bouts of their respective weight classes. Senior Cody Greene (149) and junior Jeff Foust (197) split their morning matches 1-1 and will wrestle in the consolation brackets for third place. Consolation competition will begin at 4 p.m. (CT) with the championships slated to start at 7 p.m. (CT).

Wrestling at 157-pounds, 15th-ranked Cieleski (Brookville, Pa.) improved to 23-7 on the season with his 9-7 decision over Nebraska's 10th-ranked B.J. Wright. Cieleski entered as the No. 3 seed and topped the No. 2 seed after scoring first and building on his lead. Throughout the seven-minute match, Cieleski scored three takedowns, two coming in the first period, and three escapes. The win moves Cieleski to a 7 p.m., battle with Oklahoma State's fourth-seeded Kevin Ward. Earlier in the season, Cieleski won his Feb. 4, bout with Ward, 5-2, in Stillwater, Okla.

Missouri's first Big 12 Champion (2003) and number one-seeded Woodley (Ferguson, Mo.) dropped Iowa State Cyclone Travis Paulson, 2-1. The two grapplers went scoreless through the first two periods and each scored an escape in the final two minutes of action to tie at one. In the end, Woodley rode out Paulson to win the match and advance in the championship bracket. Woodley will pair with Oklahoma State's Johny Hendricks. Woodley is currently ranked fourth in the nation, and Hendricks stands as high as third at 165-pounds.

The 2004 Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler Askren, held EK Waldhaus (Oklahoma) to only one point in their 174-pound bout. With a final score of 5-1, Askren scored three points in the third period. Askren will meet with Chris Pendleton (Oklahoma State) for the third time of the season and seventh in two years. The Hartland, Wis., native found his only career win over Pendleton, 9-7, in last season's Big 12 Championship match.

Redshirt freshmen Tim Kephart (125), Tyler McCormick (133), junior Chris McCormick (141), sophomore Matt Pell (184) and freshman Chase Wetenkamp (HWT) all suffered losses in their morning matches and will have to wrestle through the consolation bracket in a fight for third place.

Results Through Semifinals
125
Grant Nakamura (ISU) major decision Tim Kephart (MU): 12-0
Tim Kephart (MU) Matt Keller (NU)
133
Dominick Moyer (NU) over Tyler McCormick (MU): injury default
Tyler McCormick (MU) Jesse Sundell (ISU)
141
Daniel Friskhorn (OSU) major decision Chris McCormick (MU):16-3
Chris McCormick (MU) Matt Murray (NU)
149
Cody Greene (MU) decision Aron Scott (ISU): 5-3
Zach Esposito (OSU) major decision Cody Greene (MU): 16-5
157
Brad Cieleski (MU) decision B.J. Wright (NU): 9-7
Brad Cieleski (MU) Kevin Ward (OSU)
165
Tyron Woodley (MU) decision Travis Paulson (ISU): 2-1
Tyron Woodley (MU) Johny Hendricks (OSU)
174
Ben Askren (MU) decision EK Waldhaus (OU): 5-1
Ben Askren (MU) Chris Pendleton (OSU)
184
Kurt Backes (ISU) decision Matt Pell (MU): 7-2
197
Jeff Foust (MU) decision Trevor Smith (ISU): 7-5
Jake Rosholt (OSU) major decision Jeff Foust (MU): 14-4
HWT
Jon May (NU) decision Chase Wetenkamp (MU): 9-4