Sunday, February 12
Columbia, Mo.
2 p.m.
University of Missouri
vs
Northern Iowa
No. 7 @MizzouWrestling and No. 19 Northern Iowa Scrap for the MAC Title on Sunday
2/11/2017 12:23:00 PM | Wrestling
Winner will be award MAC Regular Season Title and automatic bid to NWCA National Duals Series
| MATCH DAY - Sunday, Feb. 12 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPPONENT | LOCATION | DAY | TIME | MEDIA | |
|
Northern Iowa |
Columbia, Mo. | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 2 p.m. (CT) | ||
Mizzou and UNI Scrap for the MAC Championship
- Mizzou Wrestling and Northern Iowa will meet up for the 31st time on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. CT at the Hearnes Center. The stakes have never been higher between the two programs, as the winner will be crowned the Mid-American Conference regular season champion and will be awarded the automatic bid to the NWCA National Duals series. With a win, the Tigers will capture their third straight MAC regular season title.
- Prior to the dual, Mizzou will honor its seven seniors - J'den Cox, Jon Goerke, Matt Lemanowicz Matt Manley, Lavion Mayes, Blake Pepper and Zach Synon - for Senior Day. The senior class, which has amassed over 500 wins, five All-America honors, four individual conference titles and two national champions, is one of Mizzou's most decorated ever.
- Despite the Panthers 18-12 lead in the all-time series, Mizzou has won six of the last seven matchups between the two schools dating back to 2006. Since joining the MAC, Mizzou is 4-1 against Northern Iowa, including a 24-19 win in Cedar Falls last season on Nov. 28, 2015.
- The Tigers enter the dual with a 28-dual win streak in MAC duals dating back to the 2013-14 season. During that stretch, Mizzou has outscored its conference opponents, 812-248. The Tigers have been especially dominant in MAC duals this season, outscoring MAC opponents by an average of 24.6 points per dual in seven wins (217-45).
- All season, #TigerStyle has been led by its top-four wrestlers, senior 197-pounder J'den Cox (No. 1), redshirt senior 149-pounder Lavion Mayes (No. 2), redshirt sophomore 165-pounder Daniel Lewis (No. 4) and redshirt junior 157-pounder Joey Lavallee (No. 5), who all rank in the top-five of the individual rankings. The four wrestlers are a combined 74-4 this season and have yet to be defeated in dual competition (44-0).
#MACtion Domination
- As Mizzou seeks its third straight MAC regular season title and fifth straight MAC conference tournament championship, the Tigers have now won 28 straight MAC duals dating back to the 2013-14 season. Mizzou's last MAC dual loss came to the hands of Northern Iowa, 24-10, on Jan. 24, 2014, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
- In Mizzou's 28-dual conference win streak, Mizzou has outscored MAC opponents, 812-248, including shutouts over Northern Illinois (31-0 on Jan. 25, 2014) and Buffalo (41-0 on Feb. 7, 2014) to begin the streak.
- Since entering the MAC prior to the 2012-13 season, Mizzou has gone 33-2 in conference duals, falling only to Northern Iowa in 2014 and Central Michigan in its first year in the league, 17-16, on Jan. 20, 2013.
- Mizzou's murderer's row of senior 197-pounder J'den Cox, redshirt senior 149-pounder Lavion Mayes, redshirt junior 157-pounder Joey Lavallee, and redshirt sophomore 165-pounder Daniel Lewis has been nearly untouchable in MAC competition throughout their careers, going a combined 80-7 in MAC duals. Cox (25-2) and Mayes (25-3) lead the way with 25 wins, each, while Lavallee is 17-2 and Lewis, in his second year as an attached wrestler, is 13-0 in MAC dual competition.
Cox's Pursuit of a Perfect Season
- Only one wrestler in program history, Ben Askren, has finished a season with an umblemished record. Askren did so twice, in 2005-06 and 2006-07, capturing the National Title at 174 pounds and the Dan Hodge Trophy following both seasons. Senior 197-pounder J'den Cox, Mizzou's only remaining undefeated wrestler in 2016-17, seeks to become the second-ever wrestler to record an undefeated season and the first wrestler in program history to win three NCAA Titles.
- Cox is 18-0 on the season and 10-0 in dual competition, registering bonus point victories in 13 of 18 victories. Among team leaders, Cox ranks first in technical falls with five, fourth in dual wins with nine and second in dual points with 39.
- Cox has certainly been challenged this season, facing nine ranked opponents, including five ranked in the top-10. Cox has overcome each challenge so far this season, outscoring ranked opponents, 73-21.
- Dating back to last season, Cox has now won 38 straight matches, recording bonus points in 27 of those victories.
Lewis on Fire
- Following his second loss of the season in the Southern Scuffle finals, redshirt sophomore 165-pounder Daniel Lewis flipped a switch and has been on a tear ever-since, earning six straight victories, including a four-match streak where he defeated the opposition by a combined score of 58-0.
- Lewis earned the first MAC Wrestler of the Week honor of his career on Jan. 18 following a 3-0 week where he outscored his opponents, 41-0, earning two major decisions and a technical fall.
- Lewis began his streak with a 12-0 major decision over Austin Weigel (Buffalo) on Jan. 12. Next, Lewis earned a 17-0 technical fall in the first period over Joey Galasso (Cornell) on Jan. 14. Galasso was ranked No. 16 at 149 pounds, but proved to be no challenge to the All-American Lewis. Then, Lewis earned a 12-0 major decision over Devan Marry (Eastern Michigan) on Jan. 15.
- Lewis posted his second first-period technical fall in as many weeks with a 17-0 win over Logan Parks (Central Michigan) on Jan. 22.
- The Tiger sophomore avenged his Scuffle finals loss to Chandler Rogers (Oklahoma State) on Jan. 27, scoring a last second takedown to defeat the fourth-ranked Rogers. The two grapplers were tied, 9-9, with time running out, but Rogers essentially led, 10-9, because he had riding time locked up. With the clock approaching zeros, Lewis got to Rogers' leg and executed the takedown for two points and the victory.
- The Tiger sophomore is now 20-2 on the season (12-0 in duals) and leads the team in dual points with 52, and falls with seven. In a season and a half as an attached wrestler, Lewis is 24-2 in dual competition, including a perfect 13-0 in MAC duals.
- Known as a "pin artist", Lewis leads the teams in wins by fall this season, registering seven falls, including two at the Southern Scuffle. He has pinned 17 opponents during his two seasons as an attached wrestler after scoring 10 wins by fall in 2015-16. In addition, during his redshirt season (2014-15), Lewis posted falls in 15 of his 21 wins.
Lavallee Re-Emerges From the Background
- After taking a redshirt last season, redshirt junior 157-pounder Joey Lavallee has roared back onto the scene in 2016-17, recording bonus points in nine of 21 wins (seven major decisions, one technical fall, one fall) and capturing the UNI championship at 157 pounds on Dec. 3.
- Lavallee is 21-1 on the season, 11-0 in duals, leads the team in major decisions with seven and is tied for second in dual points with 39.
- The Tiger junior owns six ranked wins so far this season, defeating No. 17 Sal Mastriani (Virginia Tech) via major decision, 15-5 on Nov. 20 and No. 19 Jake Ryan by way of a 12-5 decision on Dec. 8 in duals. At the Scuffle, Lavallee defeated No. 7 Jake Short (Minnesota), 2-1, and No. 11 Andrew Atkinson (Virginia), 9-5, to claim third at the Scuffle on Jan. 2. Lavallee most recently defeated No. 7 Colin Heffernan (Central Michigan), 3-1, in a thrilling sudden victory match on Jan. 22 and No. 5 Joe Smith (Oklahoma State), 6-1, on Jan. 27.
Synon Gets Win No. 100
- With an 8-0 major decision win over Alex Hrispoulous (Michigan State) in the quarterfinals of the Edniboro Open, redshirt senior 141-pounder Zach Synon recorded the 100th win of his Tiger career on Feb. 4.
- Synon becomes the 26th member of Mizzou's exclusive 100-win club and second to join this season after redshirt senior 149-pounder Lavion Mayes recorded his 100th win in Mizzou's season-opening win over Old Dominion.
- The Tiger senior has shined in open tournaments this season, recording five top-finishes and three first-place finishes in his last three competitions where he has gone 13-0. Synon is 28-8 on the season and 3-2 in dual competition.
- Synon won the MAC title at 133 pounds in 2015 and is a two-time NCAA qualifier, reaching the NCAA Championships in 2015 and 2016 at 133 pounds.
Second NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings Released
- Eight Tiger wrestlers were ranked in the second NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings, released on Feb. 10. Among the eight wrestlers, four Tigers are ranked in the top-10, including senior 197-pounder J'den Cox, who is first at 197 pounds.
- Redshirt senior 149-pounder Lavion Mayes checks in at No. 3, while redshirt junior 157-pounder Joey Lavallee and redshirt sophomore 165-pounder Daniel Lewis each ranked at No. 5 in their respective weight classes.
- Redshirt freshman 141-pounder Jaydin Eierman ranks in at No. 10, while redshirt sophomore 133-pounder John Erneste checks in at No. 12 andedshirt junior 125-pounder Barlow McGhee at No. 20. Redshirt freshman 174-pounder Dylan Wisman made his debut in the rankings, checking in at No. 32.
Erneste Makes the Most of His Opportunity
- Following redshirt freshman 141-pounder Jaydin Eierman's move up a weight class from 133 to 141 pounds, redshirt sophomore 133-pounder John Erneste helped fill a void in the Tigers' starting lineup at 133 pounds.
- Erneste first competed as Mizzou's starter while at the Southern Scuffle, where he impressed by going 5-2 and finishing fifth at one of the nation's toughest in-season tournaments. At the Scuffle, Erneste posted two wins by bonus points, including a 9-0 major decision over No. 14 Mitchell McKee (Minnesota) to capture fifth place. The win was Erneste's first career win over a ranked opponent.
- Following the Scuffle, Erneste has gone 6-1 in dual competition, posting two wins over ranked opponents and three wins by bonus points.
- For the year, Erneste is 20-5 and 7-1 in dual competition. Erneste's six falls both rank second on the team, while his 20 wins rank fourth on the team.
Eierman Transitions to 141 Pounds
- After struggling to make weight at 133 pounds, redshirt freshman 141-pounder Jaydin Eierman made the switch to 141 pounds prior to the Southern Scuffle.
- Eierman proved to be more comfortable at 141 pounds, going 7-2 at the Scuffle while placing fifth, recording three technical falls in the process.
- Since making the jump, Eierman is 5-1 in dual competition, posting bonus points in four victories.
- On the season, Eierman is 19-5 and 8-3 in dual competition. He ranks sixth on the team in total victories with 19, third in technical falls with four, fourth in dual points with 38 and first in dual falls with four.
Wisman's Upset Puts Him Into the Individual Rankings
- Redshirt freshman 174-pounder Dylan Wisman's upset over No. 6 Kyle Crutchmer (Oklahoma State) on Jan. 27 vaulted him into the individual rankings for the second time this season. This week, he checks in at No. 19 in The Open Mat and No. 24 in TrackWrestling's individual rankings.
- Wisman entered the individual rankings for the first time in his career on Jan. 16, ranking in at No. 19 in The Open Mat individual rankings after a four-match win streak.
- In his four match win streak, Wisman defeated Matt Reed (Oklahoma) by fall (2:59) on Jan. 8 and David Kasper (Eastern Michigan) by 9-1 major decision on Jan. 15. Wisman also defeated Brandon Womack (Cornell), 9-4, on Jan. 14. Womack entered the match ranked No. 14 at 165 pounds.
- Wisman is now 9-6 on the season, 7-4 in duals, recording bonus point victories in four wins (two falls, two major decisions).
Cox's Ascension Up the Record Book
- Senior 197-pounder J'den Cox's outstanding Tiger career will come to an end following the 2016-17 season, but not before he leaves his mark on the Mizzou Wrestling record book.
- The two-time National Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist ranks sixth in program history in career wins with 126 and first in winning percentage among wrestlers with over 100 wins at .962 (126-5).
- Cox also ranks second in career technical falls with 19 and third in career major decisions with 29. The Tiger senior is also nearing the top-10 in career falls with 24. Alan Waters, Mark Cody and Nathan McCormick are all tied for eighth all-time in program history with 27 falls.
Cox Named to WIN Magazine's Dan Hodge Trophy Preseason Candidate Preseason List
- Senior 197-pounder J'den Cox was named to the Dan Hodge Trophy Preseason Candidate List, announced by WIN Magazine on Dec. 9. Cox was one of eight wrestlers named to the list for the Hodge, which is equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in college football, and is the most prestigious award in college wrestling.
- Only one other Tiger wrestler, Ben Askren, has ever captured college wrestling's most prestigous prize. Askren won the 2006 and 2007 Dan Hodge Trophies after finishing both seasons as the NCAA Champion at 174 pounds.
- Cox is one of two Tiger wrestlers (Ben Askren) to win two NCAA Titles and one of four (Ben Askren, Max Askren and Drake Houdashelt) to earn All-America honors three times.
100 Wins for Mayes
- Redshirt senior 149-pounder Lavion Mayes recorded his 100th career victory in Mizzou's season-opening dual against Old Dominion. Mayes defeated Michael Hayes by way of a 9-4 decision to reach the century milestone.
- Mayes becomes the 25th member of Mizzou's exclusive 100-win club and first to reach the mark since senior 197-pounder J'den Cox reached the mark last season in a 16-7 major decision win over Aaron Studebaker (Nebraska) on Feb. 21, 2016.
- Mayes currently owns a record of 114-22 and is ranked fifth in program history in career major decisions with 27 and seventh in winning percentage for wrestlers with over 100 wins with a winning percentage of .838 (114-22).
- In a breakout sophomore campaign (2014-15), Mayes went 38-4 at 141 pounds, finishing as an All-American with a seventh-place performance at the NCAA Championships. Mayes went 20-1 in dual competion throughout the year (6-1 in MAC duals) and recorded nine major decisions.
- Last year, Mayes went 32-3 en route to his second straight year on the podium, this time at 149 pounds. Mayes finished third at the weight class in New York City, defeating Anthony Collica (Oklahoma State) in the third place bout after falling to the Cowboy in the quarterfinals.
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