K.C. Pescaglia

Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Hometown:
Columbia, Mo.
High School:
Hickman

OUTLOOK: Columbia, Mo., native K.C. Pescaglia is one of five redshirt freshman expected to see time in Missouri's 10-man lineup. Certified to wrestle in the 133-pound weight class, Pescaglia and sophomore transfer Todd Schavrien will battle through intense matches in the practice room to vie for the spot in the lineup.

"K.C. is a wirey wrestler," Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith said. "He's got a funky wrestling style and has really developed his mat skills over the past several months. He should be in the running to start at 133 pounds for us this year."

2007-08: Wrestling at 133 pounds, Pescaglia placed at five tournaments as a redshirt. Pescaglia finished first at the Dana Open on Jan. 5, defeating Brian Litch from Nebraska by fall in 1:15 on his way to the title. Pescaglia also finished first at the Roger Denker Open on Jan. 18. On his run through the championship bracket, Pescaglia defeated Wade Lowe of McKendree College by fall in 3:33. Pescaglia's next highest finish came at Lindenwood on Oct. 27 where he finished second. Beginning on Jan. 12, Pescaglia went on a 10-match win streak that came to an end on Feb. 2 when he suffered a one-point loss.

HIGH SCHOOL: A native of Columbia, Mo., Pescaglia wrestled for Hickman High School and was a two-time Missouri State Champion at 125 pounds. A member of the Kewpie wrestling squad, Pescaglia was coached by J.D. Coffman and finished fourth at the Missouri State Championships his sophomore campaign (2005). Finishing his high school career with a 157-12 record, 111 of Pescaglia's wins were by fall. A three-time Greco Roman State Champion and one-time Freestyle State Champion, Pescaglia was a three-year member of the Missouri Freestyle and Greco Roman National Team and was named to the 2006 Greco Roman Cadet National team. Graduating among the top six percent of his class, Pescaglia was a member of the National Honor Society and received Academic All-State and All-America honors on three occasions. Pescaglia earned four letters in wrestling. Outside of school, Pescaglia was a six-year member of the Columbia Wrestling Club led by Head Coach Mike Flanagan.

PERSONAL: K.C. was born Feb. 15, 1989, to James Jr. and Cynthia Pescaglia in Columbia, Mo. He has two siblings, Tony (21) and Vince (17). Tony is a sophomore on the Missouri wrestling team and wrestles at 125 pounds. Pescaglia is majoring in accountancy.