July 28, 2014

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The 2014-15 school year at the University of Missouri is only weeks away, and members of the Mizzou wrestling team have continued their summer workouts in preparation for the upcoming season.

In the second edition of "Tiger Style Summer Update", we sat down with redshirt sophomore Boomer Boyd and redshirt senior Johnny Eblen to discuss a variety of Mizzou wrestling topics. Check-in to MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou wrestling. You can also find the Tigers on social media, by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (@MizzouWrestling).

Mizzou Athletics: You took a medical redshirt last season. How have you mentally and physically prepared to re-enter the competition floor this year?

Boomer Boyd: "Mentally, I've been trying to lay one brick at a time and focus on the things I can control. Physically, I've been focusing on getting stronger and improving my technique."

MA: What has been your favorite Mizzou wrestling memory so far?

BB: "Winning my first collegiate tournament during my freshman year."

MA: What have you been doing personally, as well as with the team this summer in order to prep for the upcoming season?

BB: "This summer, I've been wrestling a bunch. I got the opportunity to do some camps with former assistant coach Sammie Henson and I trained a lot here at Mizzou. By doing this, I've been exposed to a lot of different styles. Training this summer has helped me continue to innovate and get ready for the next season."







MA: You made seven starts for the Tigers last year at 184-pounds. How will you use that valuable experience you gained last year as you compete this upcoming season?

Johnny Eblen: "I will use that experience by treating this upcoming season more like a marathon that a sprint. It's a long season, and the only month that matters at the end of the day is March (MAC Championships and NCAA Nationals)."

MA: What summer workouts have you conducted personally and also team wise?

JE: "As a team, we come in to voluntary practice Monday through Friday all summer long, and we get our own lifting in during the morning. Also, we have the 'One More Competition' that we do every summer. That is where you do extra workouts and each workout is worth points and we compete against each other to see who can score the most points by the end of the summer."

MA: You're one of seven seniors entering this year for the Tigers. What will you do to serve as one of the primary team leaders this 2014-15 season?

JE: "We have a standard at the University of Missouri wrestling, and that standard is `Tiger Style'. My job is to live Tiger Style and get my team to do that as well. I also plan to be a leader through helping the younger guys on the team with technique when they are having trouble. Also, I want to be more vocal and lead by example every day."