Mark EllisMark Ellis

MatChat: Mark Ellis at 2:30!

 Mark Ellis

Chat Live With Mark Ellis!

Welcome to the weekly mutigers.com moderated wrestling chat! This Monday, Jan. 29, at 2:30 p.m., freshman Mark Ellis will stop by to answer your questions! The Q-and-A session with the nation's 19th-ranked heavyweight will last approximately 20 minutes.

The chat session is the ninth in a season-long campaign (Monday Mat Chat) in which fans will have the opportunity to communicate with various members of the Missouri coaching staff and team. Each chat session is held Monday at 2:30 p.m. (CT).

Expected to be a threat to the other Big 12 heavyweights, Ellis is coming off of a redshirt season in which he won 22 matches and shut out four of his opponents. This season, he holds a 10-6 record, including a 10-5 on Saturday over Nebraska's Cameron Browne.

While Mark will not by stopping by until 2:30, feel free to submit questions now and we will have them waiting for him when he arrives to chat.
Bill Kansas City: Congratulations on a fine season. It's nice to see the tigers have success with some of the local guys. Did you wrestle 215 in HS? If so, how much do you weigh now and how much bigger do you expect to grow?
Mark Ellis: Yes I wrestled at 215. I'm around 240 right now and I'm going to get as big as I can get. I plan on keep growing over the next few years.
kansas city,Mo: I went to the nebraska match the other day how much do you have to watch your weight because are in different weight classes.congrats on season.
Mark Ellis: I guess I have to watch my weight quite a bit because I want to stay as heavy as possible. I try to lift hard and eat a lot to keep my weight up.
Jake (Omaha): Mark-Looks like you're one of four freshmen in the starting lineup, do you feel any pressure being so young?
Mark Ellis: I really haven't felt much pressure being young. I feel like I'm capable of beating a lot of older guys and I plan on doing so.
Dave (Cottonwood): Do you feel any pressure being the last guy out on the mat? Congrats on a great season!
Mark Ellis: I get a little anxious having to wait so long to get out there. I usually want to end it on a good note. I go out there and try to wrestle to the best of my ability. Thanks a lot for your question.
Dale (Denver): What a great year for the Tigers. What made you decide to attend Missouri? Is it close to home?
Mark Ellis: I wanted to compete at the Division I level and I also wanted to compete in the Big 12. It was also a good distance from my home town (Peculiar, Mo.) which makes it a little easier for me to see my family and friends sometimes.
Rob (Evansville): Who do you see as your toughest opponent this season? What type of goals have you set for yourself?
Mark Ellis: Obviously, I think my toughest opponent is going to be Cole Konrad from Minnesota. I will be an All-American and I really think I'm capable of being in the National finals. Anything can happen there.
Mark (Roark): Hey Mark! Nice work this season. I was wondering if there was any particular person in the wrestling practice room that really helps you out. Who do you drill with?
Mark Ellis: Thanks a lot about the season. Yes, there are a lot of guys in the room that help me out. I really like working out with both the Askren's (Ben and Maxwell). I feel like they helped develop a style that fits me at heavyweight. I also have a lot of battles with Raymond Jordan which helps me with staying quicker and a little more agile than a majority of the heavyweights.
Scott (Moberly): OK...honestly...what are your thoughts on this Beauty and the Beast thing?
Mark Ellis: I think it's going to be really fan-friendly and should draw an even bigger crowd than we've had all season.
Kansas City: Hi Marko - was it difficult to get back on the mat after a month. How is your rib?
Mark Ellis: Of course it was difficult to get back on the mat but I was really anxious to get back out there. I feel like I hit a couple of tough spots being my first match back but it feels good and I'm getting back to 100 percent.
Winston: How competitive is the wrestling room for the heavyweights?
Mark Ellis: It's a really competitive room...being one of the top teams in the country. Every guy in the room battles hard and with Missouri being at the top right now it's going to continue becoming a tougher and tougher room.
Jackson (kc): good job last night how did you feel after the lay-off did you feel rusty at all? I know you have some big matches coming up in the big 12 are you 100% keep up the good work I believe you are going to have a big impact on this championship season.
Mark Ellis: Yes I did. I think I got a little too wound up before hand and I felt fatigued early which was new for me. That's not something I feel usually. I just tried to battle through the best I could and get ready for some tough opponents down in Oklahoma.
Mark Ellis: Thanks for all of the questions. Look forward to seeing you all Feb. 9 when we wrestle UNI at home.