Blake Pepper

REDSHIRT SENIOR (2016-17)

Went 0-2 at Maryville Brand Kaufman Open (Nov. 12), his only competition of the season.

REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE (2014-15)

In his second season as attached wrestler, compiled a 3-4 overall record.
Earned a dual start on Nov. 15 against Truman State’s Roark Whittington and tallied a pin in 1:59. It marked the second dual start of his Tiger career.
His pin against Truman State’s Roark Whittington was the fourth fall of his career.
Competed in two tournaments before suffering a season ending injury, included 2014 Harold Nichols Cyclone Open and 2014 Kaufman-Brand Open.
Was 1-of-3 Mizzou grapplers to earn a start this season at 157 pounds, joining teammates Joey Lavallee and Trevor Wiest.

REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2013-14)

Competed in five tournaments for the Tigers, and got his first career dual start against SIUE.
Finished in fifth place at the Warren Williams/Daktronics Open, going 6-2 in matches on the day.
Competed in the freshman/sophomore division at the Joe Parisi Open and won all five of his matches to take the title.
Lost by a two-point margin in the finals at the Kaufman-Brand Open to finish second overall.
Won five of his eight matches to earn a sixth-place finish at the UNI Open.
On Jan. 11, earned his first career dual start against SIUE's Karsten Van Velsor, whom he defeated by pin at 4:02 to help the Tigers to a 40-0 shutout against the Cougars.
Pepper went 23-8 on the season as a whole with nine of his wins coming by fall, major decision, or technical fall.
2012-13 SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll

FRESHMAN (2012-13)

Taking his redshirt year, Pepper competed in five tournaments as an unattached wrestler.
His first collegiate win came by fall (2:32) against Austin Miner of Missouri Valley at the UCM Open.
Took sixth place at the Grand View Open after picking up four wins, including two against Gabe Morse of Northern Illinois.
Had 10 wins overall on the season. Four of his wins came by pin, the fastest of which occurred at 2:01.

SECKMAN HIGH SCHOOL (IMPERIAL, MO)

Going 26-4 on the season, he placed fifth at state as a junior, helping his team to a fourth place finish.
Went 35-5 his sophomore season.
Battled injuries through his freshman and senior seasons, finishing with an overall career record of 61-10.
In 2008, took first at state in Freestyle, going on to place seventh at Fargo Nationals.
In 2009, took the state title in Freestyle again.
Was a two-time All-Conference football player.
Earned a total of seven letters in high school between wrestling and football.
Graduated with Cum Laude honors.

PERSONAL

Blake Pepper is the son of Jim Pepper and Melissa Waterkotte.
Was born on August 14, 1993, in St. Louis, Mo.
Has two older brothers, Jimmy and Johnny, and a younger sister, Laura.
His brother, Jimmy, wrestled at American University.
Brother, Johnny, is a recent Mizzou graduate and spent his time here as the videographer for the Tiger program.
Blake chose Mizzou over Washington University and Arizona State.

STATS