Nov. 1, 2006

Columbia, Mo.- Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith and members of the third-ranked Tiger wrestling program will be available for a preseason media day, Monday, Nov. 6, at 3 p.m. (CT) in the wrestling lounge located in the fourth floor of the Hearnes Center.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend the Nov. 6 media day during which media guides and credentials will be available to those with requests.

The Tiger wrestling team is currently ranked third in four nationally recognized preseason polls, with eight Missouri grapplers ranked among the top-25 of their respective weight class. Co-captain, three-time All-American and 2006 National Champion Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) returns for his senior campaign and hopes to improve on the nation's longest active win streak (45 wins). All Americans Matt Pell (senior, Luxemburg, Wis.) and Tyler McCormick (junior, Leawood, Kan.) will also serve as co-captains alongside Askren. Altogether, five Tiger grapplers in Missouri's 10-man lineup hold prior NCAA tournament experience (sophomores Michael Chandler and Raymond Jordan qualified in 2006 at 157- and 184-pounds, respectively).

Missouri will officially open its season on the road, Thursday, Nov. 16, in a 6:30 p.m. (CT) dual with No. 10 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. This season, the Tigers are expected to face a minimum of 10 ranked teams.

Throughout the course of the 2006-07 campaign, Missouri will host six duals, the sixth annual Missouri Open and the 11th annual Big 12 Championships. This marks the second time in four years that the University of Missouri has been selected to host the league championships which will run Saturday, March 3, in the Hearnes Center.