March 2, 2007
2007 Big 12 Championship Brackets | Big 12 Championships site
For the third time in 11 years, the University of Missouri will proudly host the Big 12 Wrestling Championships, March 3, 2007, in the Hearnes Center. Five of the nation's top-20 programs, including third-ranked Missouri, will compete for not only a Big 12 title, but the chance to qualify individuals for the 77th annual NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, March 15-17, in Detroit, Mich.
Missouri enters the tournament rested and ready after members of the Tiger starting lineup suffered bouts with the flu. Back to championship form, Missouri has all 10 of its wrestlers ranked among the top-20 in the nation, including five among the top five. Senior two-time Big 12 Champion Ben Askren is ranked No. 1 in the nation at 174 pounds, while younger brother, Maxwell Askren, is making his first appearance in the league tournament ranked second at 197 pounds.
Three Tigers earned No. 1 seeds at their respective weight class. Senior Ben Askren (174), sophomore Raymond Jordan (184) and redshirt freshman Maxwell Askren (197) enter the tournament at No. 1, with junior Tyler McCormick earning the No. 2 seed at 133 pounds behind Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State.
Thirty-four Big 12 wrestlers enter Saturday's competition ranked among the top-20 in the nation in their respective weight class (USA Today/InterMat). Five weight classes (125, 157, 165 and 174) have four league wrestlers ranked among the top-20. A total of 38 Big 12 grapplers will have the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Championships, the fourth highest submission rate in the national allocation of qualifiers.
For two Missouri wrestlers, this will be their final Big 12 showing. Ben Askren (174) and Matt Pell (165) are looking to end their senior campgins on a high note. Pell finished as high as second at the league championships, wrestling at 184 pounds as a sophomore in 2005.
On the flip side, four Tigers will be making their first Big 12 tournament appearance. Redshirt freshmen John Olanowski (125), Maxwell Askren (197) and Mark Ellis (HWT) in addition to true freshman Ashtin Primus (141) are all looking to make their mark on the wrestling community and walk away with an automatic bid to the National tournament.
The last time Missouri hosted the Big 12 Championships came during the 2003 season. Missouri finished the day with its highest league finish, second, with two individuals earning Big 12 titles, the first in Missouri wrestling history.