Rock M Nation: All Posts by James HackneyA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2022-10-14T13:30:00-05:00https://www.rockmnation.com/authors/james-hackney/rss2022-10-14T13:30:00-05:002022-10-14T13:30:00-05:00Mizzou Wrestling Schedule Released
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>Mizzou Wrestling announced their schedule for the 2023 season. Let’s take a look at the Tigers’ opponents this year. </p> <p id="d68gZz">Mizzou Wrestling will be looking to continue their dominance in the Big 12 this season with nine conference duals, including four at home. Their season begins with the annual Black and Gold Scrimmage on October 29th. The Tigers enter the season ranked #3 overall in the dual rankings, and all 10 starting wrestlers are ranked. <small><em>(editor’s note: WOW)</em></small></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wrestling Announces 2022-23 Schedule<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/tdI1RZI3fJ">https://t.co/tdI1RZI3fJ</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/UlZUBERBGn">https://t.co/UlZUBERBGn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TigerStyle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TigerStyle</a> <a href="https://t.co/YBIOilTE8m">pic.twitter.com/YBIOilTE8m</a></p>— Mizzou Wrestling (@MizzouWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouWrestling/status/1580960873807777792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a>
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<p id="NOQwZd">The Black and Gold Scrimmage will be followed by a dual against Lindenwood at the Mizzou Softball Stadium on Sunday, November 6th. Lindenwood announced this offseason that they are beginning the transition to Division I. I would expect this dual to be an annual occasion and Lindenwood to become a new in-state rival. </p>
<p id="iC41Yt">Another new addition to the schedule is the Tiger Style Invite on November 12th at Staley High School in Kansas City. Matthew Smith wrote <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/9/14/23341312/mizzou-wrestling-to-host-tiger-style-invitatational">earlier this offseason</a> about what teams and wrestlers to expect at this inaugural event. </p>
<p id="bTVE92">The non-conference schedule consists of road rematches against #5 Arizona State and #16 Virginia Tech. Last year against these teams, Mizzou went 1-1 with a 19-14 win over Arizona State and 18-16 loss to Virginia Tech. </p>
<p id="k5Kw7E">In conference, they will see West Virginia, #25 North Dakota State, #19 Northern Iowa, and #13 Iowa State at home. This will be their first time facing West Virginia in the Big 12. Last year Mizzou went 2-1 against NDSU, UNI, and ISU, respectively, with the lone loss coming in the last dual of the season to Iowa State 17-16. </p>
<p id="TpBySO">On the road they will again face Air Force, Wyoming, #22 South Dakota State, #20 Oklahoma, and #7 Oklahoma State. Last year, Mizzou was upset at home by South Dakota State 21-12 but came away with wins against the others.</p>
<p id="pGYYF5">For tournaments this season, there is the aforementioned Tiger Style Invite and the Southern Scuffle as the premier competitions. There is also the Lindenwood Open and UNI Open where fans could get a look at some of the freshmen from the #6 recruiting class. </p>
<p id="E8sxOb">Typically one of the more active dual teams, this is the least amount of duals on Mizzou’s schedule since 2014 (excluding the unique 2021 season). However, this schedule includes three top 15 teams, and eight ranked teams overall. </p>
<p id="f9CDBR">This lineup has all 10 wrestlers ranked and returns three All-Americans in Brock Mauller, Keegan O’Toole, and Rocky Elam. They were one dual away from winning the unofficial Big 12 Dual title last season and will be looking to run the table this year. </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/10/14/23404657/mizzou-wrestling-schedule-releasedJames Hackney2022-09-21T08:00:00-05:002022-09-21T08:00:00-05:00Keegan O’Toole Set to Compete at NCWA Classic
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>National champ Keegan O’Toole will be wrestling Wisconsin All-American Dean Hamiti on November 22nd. </p> <p id="MuM3pV">One of the biggest preseason college wrestling events is back after four years, as the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic makes it’s return. The event is made up of both men’s and women’s matches and streamed live on FloWrestling. Every wrestler on the card is a returning All-American. </p>
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<cite>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</cite>
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<p id="5cQnDd">National champ Keegan O’Toole will be a main match, as he’ll take on Dean Hamiti of Wisconsin. Hamiti was one of the top freshman this season and finished 6th at 165lbs. Also hailing from the state of Wisconsin, Hamiti is a dangerous opponent who had eight falls and a 28-4 record. The two have never wrestled. </p>
<p id="eV5ol0">Also on the card will be the #3 wrestler at 165lbs Iowa State’s David Carr, who won a 2021 title at 157lbs but is bumping up this season. He will be taking on the #7 ranked wrestler Quincy Monday of Princeton, who is also bumping up after making the 157lb finals last year. 165lbs is considered one of the toughest weights this season, and this will be an early season preview at O’Toole’s opponents. </p>
<p id="KMgxfN">Some previous Mizzou wrestlers to have competed include All-Americans Lavion Mayes, Daniel Lewis, Joey Lavallee, Willie Miklus, Alan Waters, and J’Den Cox. </p>
<p id="h3gsqb">The NCWA All-Star Classic will take place on November 22nd in Austin, Texas. The entire match card can be viewed <a href="https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7966421-nwca-all-star-classic-makes-its-return-after-four-year-absence">here</a> and will be streamed on FloWrestling (Subscription required). </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/9/21/23345464/keegan-otoole-set-to-compete-at-ncwa-classicJames Hackney2022-09-17T21:00:26-05:002022-09-17T21:00:26-05:00J’den Cox Finishes as World Runner-Up
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>J’den Cox won his sixth world medal in Serbia in the 2022 World Championships. </p> <p id="p3M3oG">J’den Cox made the world finals for the third time in his career but fell to Iran’s Kamran Ghasempour 2-0 in the finals. In his first three matches J’den was dominant, outscoring his opponents 28-0, including two techs. He started with an 10-0 win over Bi Yuxiang of China followed by an 11-0 win over Radoslaw Marcinkiewicz of Poland. His semifinals opponent Osman Nurmagomedov of Azerbaijan was a world bronze medalist and U23 champ and J’den defeated him 7-0. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fiveeee J’Den is firing on all cylinders <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UWW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UWW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleBelgrade?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleBelgrade</a> <a href="https://t.co/lRSKRtMXeC">pic.twitter.com/lRSKRtMXeC</a></p>— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/FloWrestling/status/1570727858334728193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2022</a>
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<p id="48lgg5">Last year Ghasempour defeated J’den in the semifinals 3-3 on criteria and went on to win the title. In the finals this year Ghasempour scored an early takedown after going on the activity clock and his defense and positioning throughout the match was too much for J’den to get through. J’den has now won two golds, three bronze, and one silver World/Olympic medals.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/9/17/23357996/jden-cox-finishes-as-world-runner-upJames Hackney2022-09-07T12:00:00-05:002022-09-07T12:00:00-05:00Mizzou Wrestling: Recruiting Update
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>Mizzou had five recruits in the top 100 on a group visit to this week’s football victory over Louisiana Tech. </p> <p id="9Y1Hyb">Mizzou wrestling hosted five recruits during the football opener, all ranked in the top 40 overall on MatScout’s Big Board. Having just brought in the #6 ranked recruiting class, the Tigers are looking to continue bringing in highly sought after recruits. </p>
<p id="fJQFlo">Joel Adams recently won a world title in Greco, not giving up a single point and becoming USA’s first U17 Greco champ since 2017. Hunter Taylor and Christopher Coates are both a part of the Liberty High School’s nationally ranked team in Missouri. They could potentially join Easton Hilton, a freshman at Mizzou also from Liberty HS. Charlie Millard and Aeoden Sinclair could be the latest in the Askren Wrestling Academy to Mizzou pipeline, as they are both Wisconsin standouts. Other Askren Wrestling alums include Clayton Whiting, Preston Spray, Ellis Pfleger, Peyton Mocco, and Keegan O’Toole. </p>
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<p id="9Rn5Qb"><strong>Joel Adams - Millard South HS, NE</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="KvOu07">#2 at 145lbs</li>
<li id="JWEQtx">#17 Overall - Class of 2023</li>
<li id="7msKjX">#16 Pound for Pound</li>
<li id="giNdhL">2x Nebraska State Champ</li>
<li id="Q0vAiQ">U16 Fargo National Champ (Freestyle & Greco)</li>
<li id="lCWpL1">U17 Greco World Champ</li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top 7…<br><br>I want to thank everybody who has reached out and taken the time to recruit me so far. I’m very blessed and grateful to have so many amazing schools reach out to me. Stay tuned… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoMoore?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoMoore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Region5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Region5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Commitment?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Commitment</a> <a href="https://t.co/LTftf2TJGP">pic.twitter.com/LTftf2TJGP</a></p>— Joel Adams (@joelyolypoly) <a href="https://twitter.com/joelyolypoly/status/1561051485261234177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2022</a>
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<p id="HBqGpk"><strong>Hunter Taylor - Liberty HS, MO</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="LtXwef">#3 at 113lbs</li>
<li id="A5zjkk">#24 Overall - Class of 2024</li>
<li id="Q4K1WV">2022 Missouri State Champ</li>
<li id="ULlU8r">2x Fargo National Champ ( Freestyle)</li>
</ul>
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<p id="KN7V7w"><strong>Christopher Coates - Liberty HS, MO</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="jXB6Jn">#14 at 126lbs</li>
<li id="ZqJwYs">#40 Overall - Class of 2024</li>
<li id="TC5BB5">2x Missouri State Champ</li>
<li id="eITsJW">2021 Fargo Finalist (Freestyle)</li>
</ul>
<p id="bFANIo"></p>
<p id="QKocP7"><strong>Charlie Millard - Homestead HS, WI</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="6WrRX4">#11 at 152lbs</li>
<li id="xu8Z5A">#36 Overall - Class of 2024</li>
<li id="Ylq56m">2x Wisconsin State Placer</li>
<li id="YmdVrn">2x Fargo All-American (Freestyle)</li>
</ul>
<p id="lI0HGo"></p>
<p id="n2iSzV"><strong>Aeoden Sinclair - Edgerton WI</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="IB7dgg">#8 at 182lbs</li>
<li id="h2vg7M">#8 Overall - Class of 2024</li>
<li id="quQeEo">2022 Wisconsin State Champ</li>
<li id="nkaLI6">2021 Fargo All-American (Freestyle)</li>
<li id="daQJ6u">2022 Fargo National Champ (Freestyle)</li>
</ul>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/9/7/23336239/mizzou-wrestling-recruiting-updateJames Hackney2022-04-28T11:00:00-05:002022-04-28T11:00:00-05:00An Interview with Mizzou Wrestling coaches Dom Bradley and Kendric Maple
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>I got a chance to talk with Mizzou’s assistant wrestling coaches on coaching and competing at the upcoming US Open</p> <p id="zNEyyw">Wrestling is one of the unique sports that often sees assistant coaches stay active in competition while coaching. Oftentimes, coaches graduate and begin to wrestle more on the international scene, competing in overseas tournaments, Worlds, and even the Olympics. Mizzou is lucky enough to have two coaches who are well established in the international scene— Dom Bradley and Kendric Maple. </p>
<p id="WPyy38">I sat down with each of them to ask a few questions before they compete in the US Open this weekend. </p>
<p id="0KNwGI">Dom Bradley was a 2x All-American for Mizzou, and has been a perennial heavyweight contender going back to his time in high school. Since 2008, he has placed in the top four at the US Open ten times and won it in 2013 and 2016. He’s also placed top four at the Olympic Trials in both 2016 and 2021. A Junior World Champ in 2009, he will be looking to qualify and represent another world team this year. </p>
<p id="4yGkM8"><strong>James Hackney: Do you think staying active in competition helps you as a coach?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="ydGcA4"><strong>Dom Bradley:</strong> 110%. I’m showing guys stuff that I’m working on, so I’m not just making something up, and I think it makes it more fun. Like when Zach wrestled Cassioppi in the bloodround, I’m like ‘hey, I wrestled that guy, here’s what I did.’ Obviously I lost, I tore my bicep in that match, but you know it’s just tips that can help him or help Rocky. Rocky and Keegan this summer are going to Junior Worlds and I was like ‘hey this is what you should expect, etc.’ They had great coaches in Coach Maple and Coach Smith that went with them, but I can give them tips to get ready for competition things like that. </p></blockquote>
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<cite>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</cite>
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<p id="eCSLB1"><strong>JH: For you, do you have to make a mental adjustment to go from coaching folkstyle to turning around and competing in freestyle?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="5y8WQY"><strong>DB</strong>: No, not at all. No, it’s tough, I hate the top bottom days just because Zach Elam is really good on top. I won’t tell him that, but he knows that. On your feet wrestling is wrestling, folkstyle, freestyle, greco. I’ve wrestled every single style, so it doesn’t matter.</p></blockquote>
<p id="bZ0iov"><strong>JH: What example do you try and set for guys when you compete?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="vfObbB"><strong>DB</strong>: To have fun. We work too hard, do all these crazy workouts. These new bikes here we try and break them, and we’re in the weight room at 6:15 in the morning and it’s so hard and it’s so fun. Some of these guys only get 6 years or 5 years to compete, but it’s like, I’m 33 years old and I’m still competing just because it’s fun. When it’s not fun I won’t do it anymore. </p></blockquote>
<p id="W1SOWf"><strong>JH: What has been your favorite match in folkstyle or freestyle?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="IrA4gX"><strong>DB</strong>: Man, when I go back and look at it, I’ve wrestled a lot of crazy matches, but I don’t really have one favorite. I mean, I guess when I was in college one of my favorites we beat Iowa as a team; that was really cool. First Mizzou team to beat Iowa. Couple years later the team did it again, but that was one of my favorite matches because of the team aspect so that was cool. But there’s too many favorite matches I’ve wrestled. So many good people like Gable Steveson who’s an Olympic champ, Tervel Dlagnev who’s an Olympic bronze medalist, so those matches are fun too so I don’t think I have just one. </p></blockquote>
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<p id="GE8jjO">Next I spoke with <em><strong>Coach Kendrick Maple</strong></em>.</p>
<p id="IgFUiu">Kendric Maple began his career at Oklahoma University where he was a 3x All-American and an undefeated national Champ for the Sooners. Post graduation, he really started to hit the freestyle circuit, winning the US Open in 2017 and finishing second at the World Team Trials that same year. Both wrestlers were a part of a historic 2018 US World Cup team that won its first title in 15 years. That was the last time fans saw him compete in freestyle until this year. </p>
<p id="VZVu7f"><strong>JH: So what made you come back to competing?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="eRXIbu"><strong>Kendric Maple:</strong> Keegan O’Toole. He wore me down with a bet that if he was gonna win a world title that I would have to compete. Finally said yes to the bet knowing that he was probably gonna win it. Definitely, he’s the biggest reason. </p></blockquote>
<p id="9qSwQ8"><strong>JH: Obviously he won his [Junior World] title last year so how long have you been really preparing and what have you been doing?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="JLUFcd"><strong>KM: </strong>It’s been interesting because one of the big things I want to do with this, training for it, is just have fun with it and not make it a way more big deal than it is. And actually I found myself still training really pretty hard for it but having fun at the same time. I think that’s something I’ve learned through the process. And we wrestle everyday as coaches all the time, so we stay in relatively good shape so it’s about adding those extra freestyle workouts to our program. </p></blockquote>
<p id="o0ob7f"><strong>JH: So wrestling as far as I know is kind of unique in that not a lot of coaches also compete in the sport they’re coaching in, so what’s it like to coach and compete at the same time?</strong> </p>
<blockquote><p id="9ujand"><strong>KM: </strong>I’d say it’s fun. I mean, I think one thing Coach Smith does really well is make it a learning environment in the room. So in our room we’re learning as coaches just as we’re wrestling with guys anyway. It’s just kind of taking that to the competition level too so it’s not that big of an adjustment, but it’s just something I’m excited to do. </p></blockquote>
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<cite>@go2ou on Twitter</cite>
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<p id="HoQVm8"><strong>JH: What has been your favorite match in folkstyle or freestyle?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="QYGy8a"><strong>KM: </strong>Kind of like Dom, I don’t know that I have one. A lot of the memories are more of just the experiences of the team, whether I was wrestling for the team, like the World Cup was really fun for all of us, I know me and Dom got to compete in that. </p></blockquote>
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<p id="rjcNWX"><strong>JH: I also asked both coaches if there was anything else they’d like to say to fans of wrestling and fans of Mizzou Athletics. Here’s what they had to say:</strong></p>
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<p id="aMG3hM"><strong>Dom Bradley:</strong> Support Mizzou Wrestling! We’re really, really good! We’ve been good since 2007. That’s when we were ranked #2 in the country, and that’s why I came here. And I’m a huge Mizzou sports fan. I really want football and basketball to do well, but wrestling, we’ve been in the top 15 for the past 15 years.</p>
<p id="BrYDkw"><strong>Kendric Maple:</strong> Show up and support Mizzou, man. We’re a fun team to watch, and we’re gonna shock the world pretty soon. You guys are gonna see it. </p>
</blockquote>
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<p id="zgzyi5">You can catch coverage of both coaches at the US Open on<a href="https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7320384-2022-usmc-us-open-wrestling-championships"> FloWrestling</a> starting Friday at 10AM. Check out <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/4/26/23041403/mizzou-tiger-style-wrestling-represented-at-the-usmc-us-open#comments">Matthew Smith’s article</a> on what other Mizzou wrestlers are entered and what they’re competing for. </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/4/28/23044549/an-interview-with-mizzou-wrestling-coaches-dom-bradley-and-kendric-mapleJames Hackney2022-03-19T20:20:40-05:002022-03-19T20:20:40-05:00Keegan O’Toole is a National Champion
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>Keegan O’Toole wins his first title at 165lbs in Detroit. </p> <p id="lhpDL9">Keegan O’Toole came into the national tournament 19-0 and left as a national champion in Detroit. He won a 6-5 decision over last year’s champion Shane Griffith of Stanford. A freshman from Wisconsin, Keegan becomes Mizzou’s ninth national champ. </p>
<p id="O839bl">In a back-and-forth match, Keegan was actually down 4-2 in the second period after he gave up two takedowns. Keegan then scored reversal and rideout to change the momentum however, and another takedown in the third period earned him the win. </p>
<p id="ioEMq1">Keegan came to Mizzou as an undefeated four-time state champ from Wisconsin and a protégé of former Tiger Style standout Ben Askren. Not only did he get his first title here, he didn’t even give up a point during the tournament until the finals match. As a dominant wrestler with three more years of eligibility, O’Toole is quickly building his resumé as a Mizzou legend. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> , <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TIGERSTYLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TIGERSTYLE</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ft74tFuNGN">pic.twitter.com/Ft74tFuNGN</a></p>— Mizzou Wrestling (@MizzouWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouWrestling/status/1505345152109498369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">KEEGAN O’TOOLE NATIONAL CHAMP</p>— James Hackney (@FFJames94) <a href="https://twitter.com/FFJames94/status/1505345222691237893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> 165 LB. CHAMPION <br><br>Keegan O`Toole is a national champion for <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MizzouWrestling</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCAAWrestling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCAAWrestling</a> <a href="https://t.co/9t6U8vZkUA">pic.twitter.com/9t6U8vZkUA</a></p>— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAWrestling/status/1505345175815659520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2022</a>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/19/22987078/2022-ncaa-wrestling-championships-keegan-otoole-finishes-undefeated-as-national-champJames Hackney2022-03-16T11:30:00-05:002022-03-16T11:30:00-05:00Mizzou Wrestling: Tournament Predictions
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>March Matness is here and Matthew and James are here to give some predictions about our favorite Tigers. </p> <p id="zQShF5">This year the Missouri wrestling team travels to Detroit, Michigan to compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championship. With only one day away, we take a deeper look into the nine weight classes the Tigers have wrestlers qualified for. Facing tough matchups along the way, James Hackney and Matthew Smith make predictions giving insight to potential outcomes and results. </p>
<h4 id="6RjcJT">
<em><strong>Noah Surtin </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>125lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 19-7 - Seed: 18</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="lLMKtq"><em>James</em>: Surtin comes in as the 18 seed for the second year in a row and has a tough draw. While I think he can get revenge in the first round over 15 seed Brody Teske (UNI), the 2 seed Vito Arujau (COR) in the quarters is a tough ask. Last year Surtin was able to get a fall in consolations, so I’m hoping he can get one or two bonus wins and get some important team points before losing in the round of 16. </p>
<p id="Kpl6QR"><em>Matthew</em>: Noah Surtin rights the ship and knocks out 15 seed Brody Teske (UNI) in the first round and runs into 2 seed Vito Arujau (COR) where he struggles against a tough opponent. After falling to the consolation side, he runs into a couple of higher seeded opponents. Picking up a couple wins by decision in his first two consolations matches, Surtin eventually runs into 2022 Big 12 Champ and 5 seed Killian Cardinale (WVU), who ends his run in a close 3 point decision. Surtin ends his 21-22 campaign with a round of 16 dismissal. </p>
<h4 id="QMgxsx">
<em><strong>Allan Hart </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>141lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 15-5 - Seed: 9</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="l7YkiA"><em>James</em>: I think Hart gets to the quarterfinals against top seed Nick Lee (PSU) using some tough rides to beat Steven Micic (MICH) and Grant Willits (ORST). In the blood round I have him getting revenge over Chad Red (NEB), who beat him 8-7 in last year’s blood round. From there I think he falls to Real Woods (STAN) but gets a win in the 7th place match. </p>
<p id="aDVE4v"><em>Matthew</em>: Allan Hart opens his tournament defeating 3 time All-American Steven Micic (MICH) and Pac 12 runner-up Grant Willits (ORST) before falling to top seed Nick Lee (PSU) in a close two point quarterfinal bout. Falling to the back side blood round, Hart finds himself facing a couple Big 10 opponents. Taking victories in both matches, it is there he finds himself locked into a match with former Missouri Tiger and current Iowa Hawkeye Jaydin Eierman. Coming off a semi-final loss, Eierman bounces back edging out Hart in a thrilling battle sending Hart to a fifth place bout and his first All-American finish. </p>
<h4 id="JZD2kN">
<em><strong>Josh Edmond </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>149lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 17-9 - Seed: 26</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="CMEraY"><em>James</em>: Even though Edmond is the lowest seeded Tiger, I actually really like his path. His opening opponent 7 seed Josh Heil (CAMP) was the 20 seed last year, and typically wrestles very close matches. As long as Edmond can get out from bottom, I think he has a great chance at a big upset. From there I have him getting a rematch in the blood round against Kyle Parco (ASU), who beat Edmond 3-2 in the dual. If Edmond can make the adjustments and get the win, I see him finishing on the podium in his hometown. </p>
<p id="tt4SDX"><em>Matthew</em>: As James said, Edmond comes in as an overlooked wrestler and can make some noise especially right in his back yard. Coming out the gate firing, Edmonds upsets the 7 seed and 10 seed on his way to losing his quarterfinal bout against 2 seed Tariq Wilson (NCST). Then finding himself battling in the consolation blood round, Edmonds comes out with a victory before falling to 9 seed Big 12 Champ Kaden Gfeller (OKST) sending him to a seventh place match and his first All-American status. </p>
<h4 id="n7CfPR">
<em><strong>Jarrett Jacques </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>157lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 18-12 - Seed: 25</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="SCmEyf"><em>James</em>: If Jacques had just a slightly different year up to this point, I’d feel comfortable with him making the quarters with wins over Will Lewan (MICH) and Kaleb Young (IOWA). If he could get two wins there he’d get a rough matchup against top seed David Carr (ISU). If Jacques can get to that point then I like his chances in the blood round, as I have him seeing 6 seed Jared Franek (NDSU). Franek’s beaten him twice this season, on a last second takedown and overtime. If Jacques is wrestling well enough to win the first two then I think he can win this one as well, then drop to Ed Scott (NCSU) to make the 7th place match. However I wouldn’t be surprised to see Matthew’s predictions come true either. </p>
<p id="kfLkAW"><em>Matthew</em>: Jarrett Jacques is a tough draw and choice to make. His opening bout could fall either way but with a loss he falls to the backside where he wins the first round consolation. Moving on to a match up with 7 seed Josh Humphreys (LEH), Jacques runs into another tough opponent. In a close one point match, Jacques eventually falls leaving him with an early exit to the tournament. </p>
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<cite>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</cite>
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<h4 id="WOQZev">
<em><strong>Keegan O’Toole </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>165lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 20-0 - Seed: 2</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="oCctev"><em>James</em>: Keegan goes on a run and not only makes the finals, but gets bonus in his first three matches. I have him pinning Caleb Fish (MSU) in the first round, another pin over Anthony Valencia (ASU) in the second round, and a dominant revenge win over Jake Wentzel (PITT). In the semi-finals I think O’Toole shows his offensive abilities and recovers after giving up an early takedown to beat Alex Marinelli (IOWA) and make the finals. In the finals he’d likely see top seed Evan Wick (Cal Poly). In a crazy scramble I think O’Toole wins and gets back points to get the win and finish as champ. </p>
<p id="RTs41y"><em>Matthew</em>: Keegan O’Toole will keep his undefeated win streak straight into the finals with exciting matches along the way. Opening his tournament with a dominant round one victory over the 31 seed, he moves onto 18 seed Anthony Valencia. In a lopsided decision, he then advances for a quarterfinals rematch with Jake Wentzel (PITT) where he gets redemption before moving to semi-finals matchup with 3 seed Alex Marinelli of Iowa. A Friday night showdown with the Hawkeye ends in with an overtime victory moving O’Toole into the Finals match to take on undefeated top seed Evan Wick. O’Toole finishes the season standing on top of the podium giving Mizzou its first champ since 2017 (J’den Cox).</p>
<p id="0GeFk4"><em><strong>Peyton Mocco </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>174lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 15-5 - Seed: 11</strong></em></p>
<p id="hO804y"><em>James</em>: Another Tiger in a double digit seed position that I think should contend for an All-American spot this season. Mocco starts with a rematch against Mason Kauffman (NIU), which was a 2-1 overtime match win last year. After that I think Mocco gets revenge against the 6 seed Dustin Plott (OKST). I do have him losing in the quarters to 3 seed Logan Massa (MICH), but I like Mocco’s chance to win in the blood round and make the podium. </p>
<p id="fz7VDs"><em>Matthew</em>: Peyton Mocco starts his championship with a convincing round one victory sending him to face Dustin Plott (OKST) in a rematch of Big 12 finalist. This time Mocco gets a lead and doesn’t let it go taking a close decision into the quarterfinals. Matching up with 3 seed Logan Massa (MICH), Mocco takes his first loss of the tournament sending him to the backside blood round. Getting back in the win column, Mocco takes out the 9 and 10 seed in back to back decisions before being sent to a fifth place bout by loss to Michael Kemerer of Iowa. </p>
<h4 id="1yhyOT">
<em><strong>Jeremiah Kent </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>184lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 17-7 - Seed: 17</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="TmyO0L"><em>James</em>: I think Kent has wrestled the best he has all season lately, so I like his chances to reverse a close decision loss to Dakota Geer (OKST). In the second round I think he drops a tough one to Myles Amine (MICH). In the wrestle back rounds he will be challenged physically against the 18 seed Abe Assad (IOWA), and unless Kent hits a big move I think he may struggle and fall out after a good early win. </p>
<p id="kuK3u9"><em>Matthew</em>: Jeremiah Kent starts his tournament with a Big 12 victory over Oklahoma States Dakota Geer advancing him to face top seed Myles Amine (MICH). After falling to Amine, Kent moves to the consolation side where he takes out the 18 seed and 8 seed in back to back. Making it the 184lbs blood round Jeremiah Kent runs into 6 seed Trey Munoz (ORST). In an exhausting overtime match, Kent falls short of advancing to medal rounds. </p>
<h4 id="lRpoUx">
<em><strong>Rocky Elam </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>197lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 19-5 - Seed: 7</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="EW3Z6v"><em>James</em>: I’m going full Mizzou bias here and penciling Rocky in as champ. Last year he recovered from a first round loss to beat the 9 seed then major the 2 and 3 seeds. While he has had some issues, and may have to get some revenge wins along the way, I think he has the talent to do it. </p>
<p id="jaUuVk"><em>Matthew</em>: In a loaded bracket, James has me riding a Mizzou high going into this one. Elam opens his first round with a with a decisive win moving him to a rematch with <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a>’s Yonger Bastida. Getting the job done this time, Rocky moves into the quarters to match up with 2 seed Stephen Buchanan (WYO). In what makes for and exciting Friday, we see him knock off two higher seeded opponents by close one and two point matches. Pushing his way through the semis after taking down the 6 seed Jacob Warner (IOWA) is where Elam’s dominant run comes to an end falling to top seed Max Dean (PSU) in the finals.</p>
<h4 id="32baJV">
<em><strong>Zach Elam </strong></em><a href="https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters"><em><strong>285lbs</strong></em></a><em><strong>. - Record: 15-5 - Seed: 16</strong></em>
</h4>
<p id="MjkxTs"><em>James</em>: Zach Elam made the round of 12 as a true freshman, but hasn’t been able to find similar success since. I think he has a solid shot this year, even though I have him dropping his first round match against two-time All-American Trent Hillger (WISC). On the backside I have him going on a run beating the 33 seed, 15 seed, and a revenge win over 10 seed Nathan Traxler to make the blood round. In the blood round I see him facing off against Big 12 opponent and 5 seed Wyatt Hendrickson (AF). I think Elam can slow him down, but Hendrickson’s offense is likely to be too much and he just misses out on placing. </p>
<p id="Qpqm5n"><em>Matthew</em>: Rounding out our slightly one sided predictions is Zach Elam. Elam opens with a tough matchup but advances to the winning side to face top seed Gable Stevenson (MINN). After dropping second round match up, Elam moves to the backside where he meets up with 15 seed Taye Ghadiali (CAMP) before advancing to the next round. Needing two more wins to get to the medals, Elam falls in a heartbreaker during the third round wrestle backs to 9 seed Lucas Davison (NW). </p>
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<p id="FKdHJE">All Mizzou wrestlers have a chance to win at any given time. Would we like to put them all in the finals, ABSOLUTELY! Will they all reach the finals, more than likely not. The Missouri wrestling team has a chance to turn some heads this weekend and outperform their seeds and better. Any prediction knocking one down or out of the tournament is no knock on the wrestler themselves but rather a reason to prove us wrong and push themselves one step closer to becoming an All-American!</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/16/22973374/mizzou-wrestling-tournament-predictionsJames HackneyMatthew Smith2022-03-07T08:00:00-06:002022-03-07T08:00:00-06:00They’re Back! Mizzou Wrestling Wins Big 12’s Once Again
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<figcaption>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>Mizzou locked up their 11th conference title in a row after a win at the Big 12 tournament. </p> <p id="2ybmyx">Mizzou came into day two with a significant lead and never looked back. They went 7-2 in the morning session to lock up the team title before the finals even began. Mizzou qualified seven wrestlers for NCAAs automatically and will have a strong case for At-Large bids to get two more. </p>
<p id="jv9KGm">Noah Surtin and Connor Brown started the day off strong with wins in the 7th place matches. Surtin won a tight 5-3 overtime decision over 6 seed Kysen Terukina from ISU. Surtin will need an At-Large bid but is one of the stronger cases to get one. Connor Brown scored a pin in his 7th place match against 3 seed Gabe Tagg of SDSU, his second win over the Jackrabbit, giving Mizzou much needed bonus points. </p>
<p id="DZKKkL">Josh Edmond came into the consolation semifinals and built a quick lead with four first period takedowns but ultimately lost 15-13 to ISU’s Jarrett Degen to drop to the 5th place match. There he found more success as he scored a 17-8 major decision over Air Force’s Dylan Martinez to finish 5th. Edmond will also need an At-Large but has a good chance at one. Jarrett Jacques dropped his own consolation semifinals match in a 3-1 overtime match to Justin Thomas of OU. He rebounded in another overtime 3-1 match, beating Derek Holschlag of UNI. </p>
<p id="QxFId3">The Elam brothers both managed a 3rd place finish after wins in the consolation semis. Rocky had a medical forfeit in his first match but won a dominant 6-1 decision over Jake Woodley in the 3rd place match. Zach avenged a regular season loss to AJ Nevills of SDSU in an exciting 8-6 match, and then went on to win a controlled 6-1 decision over ISU’s Sam Schuyler. Overall, Mizzou went undefeated in the medal matches before the finals, which was good to see after some of the guys dropped some rough matches on day one. </p>
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<cite>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</cite>
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<p id="xOeOHh">Mizzou put four wrestlers in the finals but was only able to walk away with one champ. Allan Hart had a chance to avenge a loss to Northern Colorado’s Andrew Alirez but struggled to find a late takedown and lost 6-4. Peyton Mocco made the finals as a 6 seed but lost to the 1 seed Dustin Plott of OSU. A late first period takedown for Mocco ended up being waived off, and he dropped the match 4-3 after giving up a takedown with short time left. Jeremiah Kent also made the finals as a 6 seed and faced off against 1 seed Parker Keckeisen of UNI but couldn’t find his offense and lost a 13-3 major. </p>
<p id="Er8ndl">Keegan O’Toole impressed in his finals match, winning a 13-7 decision in one of the more exciting matches of the tournament. He beat 2 seed Peyton Hall of WVU for the second time this season. O’Toole is now a two-time conference champion and likely a top two seed going into the national tournament. </p>
<p id="qj8JrV">Mizzou won the team title with 131.5 points, which ranked 6th all-time in conference history and had an impressive 18.5 lead to OU’s 113 points. Brown, Hart, Mocco, Kent, and Rocky were all able to wrestle above their seeds in impressive runs. Seven wrestlers are already qualified, and we’ll find out soon if Surtin and Edmond will get At-Large bids. With placewinners at every weight and four finalists, Mizzou was able to lock up their 11th conference title in a row and reclaim their Big 12 title. Head coach Brian Smith won Big 12 Coach of the year for the second time of his career. </p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/7/22965019/theyre-back-mizzou-wrestling-wins-big-12s-once-againJames Hackney2022-03-06T08:30:00-06:002022-03-06T08:30:00-06:00Mizzou Wrestling: Tigers In The Lead After Day One of Big 12’s
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<figcaption>@Mizzouwrestling on Twitter</figcaption>
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<p>Mizzou put four wrestlers in the finals and have qualified seven wrestlers for the tournament. </p> <p id="KL71Ov">As a refresher, here’s a <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/2/22952937/mizzou-wrestling-postseason-tournament-guide-big-twelve-tournament-ncaa">guide to postseason scoring</a>, as well as my <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/4/22959276/mizzou-wrestling-big-12-tournament-preview">preview</a>. </p>
<p id="3EYBbZ">Mizzou had a dominant start to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-12-basketball-tournament">Big 12 tournament</a> going 4-0 with three bonus wins and a big upset by Connor Brown over the 3 seed in the opening round. Josh Edmond scored a 19-4 technical fall, Peyton Mocco a 13-4 major, and Rocky Elam had a 14-3 major. </p>
<p id="bmuXlh">The quarterfinals were tougher as the Tigers went 4-6. Noah Surtin faced off against the 4 seed, Travis Mastrogiovanni of OSU, and gave up two takedowns to lose 4-2. He had a near cradle at the end but ran out of time to lock it up. Connor Brown had the 6 seed, Haiden Drury of UVU, but couldn’t keep the momentum going and lost 6-2. Allan Hart ended up having an opportunity for revenge against unseeded Ty Smith of UVU and won a dominant 9-2 match. Josh Edmond had a rematch himself and struggled against 5 seed UNI’s Colin Realbuto in a close 3-1 decision loss. Jarrett Jacques had a rematch against Wyoming’s Jacob Wright, but lost 3-2 in overtime. </p>
<p id="f1Eq38">Keegan O’Toole controlled OU’s Joe Grello in a 6-1 decision. Peyton Mocco scored a big seed upset and big bonus points as he pinned OU’s Anthony Mantanona, the 3 seed. Jeremiah Kent got a similar big win as he beat 3 seed Wyoming’s Tate Samuelson 6-2. Rocky Elam had a rematch against ISU’s Yonger Bastida but again came up just short, losing 4-3. Zach Elam suffered the biggest upset of the day as he lost to the 7 seed, OSU’s Luke Surber, in overtime 6-4. </p>
<p id="tfGvk7">Noah Surtin dropped to the consolation round and beat Jared Van Fleet of Air Force 6-3, but then lost to 8 seed Jace Koelzer of Northern Colorado 2-1. Surtin didn’t appear to have the same energy going into the match, and an early technical violation cost him. He’ll wrestle ISU’s Kysen Terukina for 7th place, but he will need an At-Large bid regardless to get to the NCAA tournament with only six auto qualifying bids at this weight. </p>
<p id="NRmAaH">Connor Brown beat the 4 seed, NDSU’s Kellyn March, in a back and forth 11-9 overtime match, but he then ended up losing to OU’s Anthony Madrigal 4-3. Brown appeared to have a takedown at the end of the first, but it was waived off. Brown wrestled well and scored some big upsets, but came up just short to qualifying with only six qualifying spots. With a 5-9 record he is likely going to miss out on an At-Large bid. </p>
<p id="mNoFWi">Josh Edmond rebounded from his loss with two wins over opponents he had wrestled before. He beat Wyoming’s Jaron Jensen by major 17-8 and NDSU’s Gaven Sax 11-6. Tomorrow he’ll get a rematch against ISU’s Jarrett Degen, who beat him in a 9-7 match at the dual. A win there would put him in the third place match and qualify him for NCAA’s, while a loss would have him needing an At-Large bid. </p>
<p id="IdVDQY">Jarrett Jacques has officially qualified for NCAAs for the fourth time in his career, as the lowest he can finish now in the tournament is 6th and there are 6 qualifying spots. He beat Northern Colorado’s Nathan Moore by 11-3 major and Kenny O’Neil of SDSU 5-3. Tomorrow he’ll start with Justin Thomas of OU, who beat him in overtime 2-1 at the dual. </p>
<p id="olx6Ll">Rocky Elam has struggled this tournament and was only able to score two close decisions on the backside. He beat Gavin Stika of OSU 4-1, then Evan Bockman of UVU in overtime 4-2. With 7 qualifying spots, he’ll make it to this year’s tournament as the lowest he can finish is 6th. Today he’ll wrestle NDSU’s Owen Pentz, who he majored in the dual to start the season. Mizzou needs Rocky to wrestle well and place high for the team points. </p>
<p id="tlt6oF">Zach Elam looked better after the early upset and scored a one-sided, 6-0 decision over Jacob Seely of Northern Colorado. He then pinned the 6 seed Brandon Metz. Zach has now qualified for his third NCAA’s as well with six qualifying spots at this weight, giving Mizzou seven qualifiers at the moment and one more getting a chance today. </p>
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<cite>@MizzouWrestling on Twitter</cite>
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<p id="SenBdD">For the guys who made the semis, there was a different story for Mizzou, as they went 4-0 with two majors and two decisions. Allan Hart’s bracket blew up, so he ended wrestling the 8 seed Dylan Droegmueller of NDSU and dominated in a 14-1 major. He’ll wrestle the 3 seed, Andrew Alirez, in the finals, who beat Hart 3-1 in overtime at the dual. Keegan O’Toole also faced an NDSU wrestler, Luke Weber, and won in a 12-3 major decision after a big move in the third period. He’ll see 2 seed Peyton Hall of WVU, who he majored at the Scuffle. Peyton Mocco and Jeremiah Kent both crashed the finals as six seeds beating the two seeds at their respective weights. Mocco got revenge over Cade Devos of SDSU 2-0 as he scored an escape and a gritty third period rideout. Kent scored another significant win over Marcus Coleman, this time winning multiple scrambles and racking up over two minutes of riding time. Mocco will face top seed Dustin Plott of OSU and Kent will see one seed UNI’s Parker Keckeisen. </p>
<p id="xlN9FR">While there were a lot of ups and downs in Day 1 of the tournament, Mizzou has a chance to qualify 8 wrestlers for NCAAs depending on the outcome of today’s matches. Additionally, Mizzou leads the conference in team points and can hopefully stay on top to clinch their 11th conference tournament. </p>
<p id="HNTwXn"><strong>Team Points</strong>: </p>
<p id="ldxMLH">Mizzou - 109.5</p>
<p id="JVFe9I">OU - 93.5</p>
<p id="K8EhVG">OSU - 90.0</p>
<p id="gMBg19">UNI - 85</p>
<p id="ZlYPQz">ISU - 82.5</p>
<h4 id="jLdy0O"><strong>Sunday, March 7</strong></h4>
<h4 id="8kHb7O">Session 3: Consolation Semifinals, Third & Fifth Place Matches [Big 12 Now on ESPN+] – 12 p.m. CT</h4>
<h4 id="9gxRwO">Session 4: Championship Matches [ESPN2] – 5 p.m. CT</h4>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/6/22963712/mizzou-wrestling-tigers-in-the-lead-after-day-one-of-big-12sJames Hackney2022-03-04T10:30:00-06:002022-03-04T10:30:00-06:00Mizzou Wrestling: Big 12 Tournament Preview
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<figcaption>Sam Janicki</figcaption>
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<p>Can Mizzou secure their 11th conference title in a row?</p> <p id="wZJVDd">Mizzou heads into the Big 12 championships this weekend as *technically* returning champions, having won the conference in 2012 before leaving and dominating the MAC. Having won ten conference titles in a row, Mizzou is going to be looking to continue that streak here in one of the top wrestling conferences. Their main competitors for the top spot are going to be #5 <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a>, #13 <a href="https://www.cowboysrideforfree.com">Oklahoma State</a> and #17 Northern Iowa. </p>
<p id="MuQMFF">The Tigers should be coming in healthy as well, with Allan Hart returning from injury. Led by top seed Keegan O’Toole, they also have five wrestlers seeded in the top four. If everything went as seeded, then Mizzou would be looking at qualifying eight of ten wrestlers for the tournament. Mizzou has shown their team strength this season with being only one of five teams to have five wrestlers of the week for their conference, and the only team to have finished the season with three in a row. Check out my recent <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/2/22952937/mizzou-wrestling-postseason-tournament-guide-big-twelve-tournament-ncaa"><strong>tournament guide</strong></a> for more info on the whole qualifying process. </p>
<p id="LnBB0m">Here’s how the<a href="https://big12sports.com/documents/2022/3/2//Big_12_Brackets_2022.pdf?id=6506"><strong> brackets look so far</strong></a>, but they could change before the tournament starts. The current seeds and qualifying spots at each weight look like this for our wrestlers:</p>
<ul>
<li id="tKu1ga">125lbs: Noah Surtin - 5 Seed, 6 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="6z6LYz">133lbs: Connor Brown - Unseeded, 6 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="JK4wck">141lbs: Allan Hart - 4 Seed, 7 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="tWt57b">149lbs: Josh Edmond - 4 Seed, 4 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="H0wIod">157lbs: Jarrett Jacques - 4 Seed, 6 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="xCDr7m">165lbs: Keegan O’Toole - 1 Seed, 4 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="v8OXNX">174lbs: Peyton Mocco - 6 Seed, 8 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="PQs4ur">184lbs: Jeremiah Kent - 6 Seed, 4 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="KLnNGX">197lbs: Rocky Elam - 5 Seed, 7 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
<li id="L4g2qD">285lbs: Zach Elam - 2 Seed, 6 Automatic Qualifiers</li>
</ul>
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<h2 id="eC0fGy"><strong>Keegan O’Toole</strong></h2>
<p id="kKfkG7">Mizzou’s only top seed, O’Toole will be looking to continue on his quest for five conference titles as a heavy favorite. To do that, he will likely need to beat Travis Wittlake of Oklahoma State, who wrestled O’Toole in a tight 3-2 match in their dual. I wouldn’t be surprised to see O’Toole open up more than he did in that match, which was the closest score he’s had all season. In the finals O’Toole may actually get a better matchup as he already majored the 2 Seed in the Southern Scuffle finals. O’Toole is always must watch wrestling, and he is sure to be in some exciting matches this weekend. </p>
<h2 id="BqhFUz"><strong>Bonus Makes The Difference</strong></h2>
<p id="R0Xn9y">In tournaments there are two easy ways to win: have multiple individual wrestlers place high or have a lot of team points from bonus-point wins. I think Mizzou can do both, but bonus points could really separate the good from the great. Sometimes, even if a wrestler loses early, it gives them an opportunity to wrestle against lower ranked opponents and start to score bonus point wins. Last year, OU came in as an afterthought but ended up with a share of the title as they scored eleven bonus-point wins throughout the tournament. The Tigers would prefer just having multiple champs, but they may need some bonus points to go with it to secure the title. </p>
<h2 id="MGUD5h"><strong>Can The Tigers Make It 11?</strong></h2>
<p id="1DQRzH">Mizzou has won their past 10 conference titles, which is a streak that Brian Smith and the Tigers would love to keep going. I think this team, as good as they’ve been in duals, could be even better as a tournament team after seeing how they dominated the Southern Scuffle earlier this year. Some guys would need to overperform their seeds, but they have the wrestlers to do that. </p>
<h2 id="sEWIOM"><strong>Who’s Going To Step Up?</strong></h2>
<p id="cKeRDs">Speaking of overperforming seeds, I think Mizzou has a handful of wrestlers that have the ability to do it. Noah Surtin is a five seed but could potentially have a path to finals against two opponents he’s wrestled well against. Connor Brown may be unseeded but has shown multiple times this season that he can hang with All-American caliber wrestlers. Allan Hart rebounded after a rough start to the season and, if healthy, could see himself in the finals. Peyton Mocco and Rocky Elam are two lower-seeded wrestlers that I think have the talent for the finals as well and will likely have opportunities for rematches along the way. </p>
<h2 id="8fFroP"><strong>Ten for Ten?</strong></h2>
<p id="sG80iN">Mizzou has sent at least eight wrestlers to the tournament every year going all the way back to 2010 and has sent ten wrestlers three times in that timespan. Connor Brown and Jeremiah Kent will both have to wrestle above their seeds to qualify. Brown has struggled at 133lbs but has found some flashes in tight matches with highly ranked opponents. All of his losses this season have come to ranked opponents. Jeremiah Kent is actually coming off the highest win of his career over the 2 Seed Marcus Coleman, and if he is able to reproduce that result, he should qualify for his second tournament. </p>
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<h4 id="EB9VFS"><strong>2021 Big 12 Wrestling Championship Schedule (times are subject to change)</strong></h4>
<h4 id="PLnABO"><strong>Saturday, March 6</strong></h4>
<h4 id="JK9Jhj">Session 1: Preliminary & Quarterfinal Matches [Big 12 Now on ESPN+] – 11 a.m. CT</h4>
<h4 id="z1qqvI">Session 2: Semifinal & Consolation Quarterfinal Matches [Big 12 Now on ESPN+] – 5 p.m. CT</h4>
<h4 id="jLdy0O"><strong>Sunday, March 7</strong></h4>
<h4 id="8kHb7O">Session 3: Consolation Semifinals, Third & Fifth Place Matches [Big 12 Now on ESPN+] – 10 a.m. CT</h4>
<h4 id="9gxRwO">Session 4: Championship Matches [ESPN2] – 5 p.m. CT</h4>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2022/3/4/22959276/mizzou-wrestling-big-12-tournament-previewJames Hackney