Nov. 9, 2009

Columbia, Mo. - Five members of Missouri's wrestling team were recognized for their athletic achievements Saturday, Nov. 7, at halftime of the Tigers' football game against Big 12 opponent Baylor. Missouri's four All-Americans and 2009 Junior World Champion took to the 50-yard line of Faurot Field in front of 65,298 fans.

2009 graduate and current Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Chandler (High Ridge, Mo.), seniors Maxwell Askren (Hartland, Wis.), Mark Ellis (Peculiar, Mo.) and Nicholas Marable (Collierville, Tenn.) as well as sophomore Dominique Bradley (Blue Springs, Mo.) all received a thunderous applause as announced. Five Tigers earned All-America honors in 2009, the most in program history. Missouri's 2009 184-pounder Raymond Jordan (New Bern, N.C.) was unable to attend Saturday's event.

Two-time All-Americans Askren and Marable look to become just the second and third Tigers to earn more than two All-America accolades in their career, while defending National Champion Mark Ellis, currently ranked No. 1 in the nation at heavyweight, will attempt to become Missouri's second grappler to earn back-to-back National Titles. Bradley, Missouri's first FILA Junior World Champion also competes at heavyweight and will challenge for the starting spot in the Tiger's 10-man lineup.

Missouri's wrestling season gets underway Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. (CT) in the Hearnes Center. Ranked as high as eighth in the nation, the Tigers will host border opponent Illinois for the first time since 2001. Fans wearing black or gold to the Thursday evening event can purchase tickets at the door for only $3.