University of Missouri
Southern Scuffle
Missouri Wrestling Takes Second Place At Southern Scuffle
12/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 30, 2005
Greensboro, N.C. - Competing at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center, the No. 11 Missouri Tigers took second place at the Southern Scuffle, losing only to No. 2 Minnesota, who placed five wrestlers in the finals and crowned four champions. Juniors Matt Pell (Luxemburg, Wis.) and Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) each took first place in their respective weight classes, the only two Tigers to advance to the final round.
Ranked No. 4 at 165 pounds, Pell shook hands at center circle in the championship bout with Steve Anceravage of Cornell, the second time the pair have met on the mat this season. Opening quickly, Pell earned two points with a single-leg takedown just 14 seconds into the match, but Anceravage turned the tables with an escape and a takedown of his own to gain a 3-2 advantage. Pell evened the score by breaking free of his opponent's grasp, and the second period ended 3-3. Choosing the down position to start the second period, Pell broke ahead with an escape, a takedown and a two-point nearfall, establishing a lead that Anceravage was unable to overcome. Adding more points in the third, Pell walked off the mat with a 12-7 decision and the 165-pound title.
The No. 1 wrestler at 174 pounds, Askren earned his second Southern Scuffle title in convincing fashion, pinning four opponents on his way to the title. All four pins came in the first period, and raised the junior's season total to 19, just one shy of the record-setting total he compiled last season. Breaking through to the title match, Askren completed the title as opponent Tyron Woodley defaulted. A two-time All-American for the Tigers, Woodley graduated last season and was competing unattached.
The No. 11 Tigers return home next week to grapple Eastern Illinois, a match held at 7 p.m. in the Hearnes Center.
Updated Records: Season (Career)
165 - Matt Pell: 17-1, 83-23
174 - Ben Askren: 24-0, 90-8
