Nov. 4, 2005

Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri wrestling team will hold Media Day Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 3:00 p.m. CST, in the Tiger Wrestling Room. The Tigers have been ranked No. 14 in the nation by virtually every preseason poll and look to improve on last year's 11th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the second-highest mark in Missouri wrestling history.

Headlining Head Coach Brian Smith's team is two-time NCAA runner-up Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.), a junior ranked No. 1 at 174 pounds. Joining Askren in his quest for a national title is fellow junior Matt Pell (Luxemburg, Wis.), who looks to improve on the All-American campaign he produced in 2004-05. Pell is ranked No. 5 in preseason polls.

Looking to improve on a campaign in which he nearly made the NCAA Tournament, sophomore Tyler McCormick leads the lineup at 133 pounds. The No. 18 native of Leawood, Kan., suffered an injury at the Big 12 Championships that kept him from wrestling at the NCAA Championships after compiling a 20-14 record during the regular season.

Credentials for Missouri's home events this season will be available, as well as the 2005-06 Missouri Wrestling Media Guide. The Tiger Wrestling Room is located on the fourth floor of the Hearnes Center and can be accessed by taking the elevator up to the practice facilities.

The Tigers open action at 7 p.m CST, Nov. 11, against the Stanford Cardinal at Oak Park High School in Kansas City.