COLUMBIA, Mo. – In a dual between two top-20 ranked teams, No. 8 Mizzou Wrestling (9-2, 6-0 MAC) defeated No. 16 Central Michigan (3-2, 1-2 MAC), 24-8, in a Mid-American Conference dual on Sunday afternoon at the Hearnes Center. Mizzou racked up seven victories in the win, including two by bonus points. The victory for the Tigers was the 27th straight MAC dual win.
Top ranked senior 197-pounder J'den Cox (Columbia, Mo.) started the afternoon on a high note, tallying an 11-2 major decision over Austin Severn. Cox was in control of the match throughout as he scored a takedown in each of the first two periods, along with an escape in the second. Holding a 5-0 lead going into the final period, Cox completed two more takedowns and gained a point from a stalling call on Severn, which was enough to earn a major decision and give the Tigers a 4-0 team lead right off the bat. With the win, Cox improves to 16-0 this season and 8-0 in duals.
Next on the mat for the Tigers was redshirt freshman heavyweight Austin Myers (Alexandria, Ky.), who scored a 6-2 decision over Newton Smerchek. Myers led 2-1 after two periods and padded his lead in the third with an escape followed by a quick takedown.
After a Chippewa win at 125 pounds, the Tigers caught fire, winning five straight bouts. Redshirt sophomore 133-pounder John Erneste (Kansas City, Mo.), redshirt freshman 141-pounder Jaydin Eierman (Columbia, Mo.), redshirt senior 149-pounder Lavion Mayes (Mascoutah, Ill.), and redshirt junior 157-pounder Joey Lavallee (Reno, Nev.) all won by decision. Erneste, Mayes and Lavallee all picked up victories over ranked opponents.
Erneste's decision over No. 19 Corey Keener was his third win this season over a ranked opponent, while Mayes' had a statement victory over No. 6 Justin Oliver, winning 11-4. Lavallee's 3-1 win came in thrilling fashion as he took down No. 7 Colin Heffernan in sudden victory overtime after a closely contested match.
After Lavallee's decision, redshirt sophomore 165-pounder Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs, Mo.) dominated his match against Logan Parks. Lewis recorded a first period technical fall, winning 17-0. Lewis' technical fall was his fifth of the season. Central Michigan claimed decisions in the final two matches to cap the score at 24-8.
Next on the slate for the Tigers is No. 1 Oklahoma State, who will visit the Hearnes Center on Friday, January 27. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on ESPN3 and the WATCH ESPN app.
Fans are encouraged to show up early for the dual for a special "Tiger with Titles" event featuring #TigerStyle alums Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. The event will begin at 5 p.m. CT in the Hearnes Center and requires a ticket to the dual for admission.
For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MizzouWrestling).
Match-by-Match Results
197: No. 1 J'den Cox (MIZ) major dec. #19 Austin Severn (CMU): 11-2
HWT: Austin Myers (MIZ) dec. Newton Smerchek (CMU): 6-2
125: Brent Fleetwood (CMU) dec. No. 18 Barlow McGhee (MIZ): 4-2
133: No. 12 John Erneste (MIZ) dec. No. 19 Corey Keener (CMU): 11-6
141: No. 9 Jaydin Eierman (MIZ) dec. Mason Smith (CMU): 5-3
149: No. 4 Lavion Mayes (MIZ) dec. No. 6 Justin Oliver (CMU): 11-4
157: No. 6 Joey Lavallee (MIZ) SV-1 No. 7 Colin Heffernan (CMU): 3-1
165: No. 4 Daniel Lewis (MIZ) tech. fall Logan Parks (CMU): 17-0 (2:52)
174: No. 17 CJ Brucki (CMU) dec. No. 19 Dylan Wisman (MIZ): 6-3
184: No. 15 Jordan Ellingwood (CMU) TB-1 Matt Lemanowicz (MIZ): 2-1
