jonathan
10-31-2005, 11:48 PM
...Max Askren Finishes First at 197 Pounds...
Columbia, Mo. - Competing in a preseason all-day tournament at Lindenwood University Oct. 29, nine Missouri wrestlers placed in their respective weight classes to open the 2005-06 campaign. Freshman Max Askren (Hartland, Wis.) compiled a perfect 4-0 record on the day to earn the title at 197 pounds.
Dominating the opposition, Askren opened the day by pinning Humberto De La Osa of Waubonsee Community College in 2:40, then took his second match by injury default over Kevin Domain of Central Missouri State University (CMSU). The freshman finished off a stellar opening to his career by beating Ryan Sutton of Lindenwood, 7-1, and earning an 18-8 victory over Steven Doeschot of Truman State University in the championship match.
Freshmen John Olanowski (Virginia Beach, Va.), Dane Espinosa (Neosho, Mo.) and Sean Connole (Erie, Penn.) took second place on the day. Olanowski opened with three straight victories at 125 pounds before falling to Josh Sampo of Lindenwood in the championship match by a 6-3 score. Competing in the 149-pound bracket, Espinosa posted a 4-1 record, matching that of Connole, who earned his first fall of the season by pinning Grailian Nash of Missouri Baptist University in 2:55. The heavyweight teamed with fellow freshman Mark Ellis (Peculiar, Mo.) to dominate the tournament's largest weight class, as Ellis posted a 7-1 record to finish in third place. Each wrestler lost to eventual champion Chase Gormley of Lindenwood by a 5-3 decision.
Joining Ellis with third-place finishes were freshman Nick Marable (Collierville, Tenn.) at 157-pounds and redshirt freshman Joey Garrity (Orion, Ill.) in the 174-pound bracket. Marable earned the first fall of his career by pinning Rocky Vercher of Lindenwood in 4:47, while Garrity highlighted his 5-1 outing by pinning Josh Johnston of Missouri Valley College in just 1:51.
Rounding out the day for the Tigers were the performances of redshirt freshmen Ryan Joyce (Brandon, Fla.) and Andrew Sherry (Sewickley, Penn.), who both finished in sixth at 141 and 149 pounds, respectively. Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith was pleased with the opening competition for his team, ranked No. 14 in the nation by most preseason polls.
"It was good to see the young guys compete with intensity and aggressiveness," Smith said. "They're still in the early phase of their collegiate careers, but they're working hard and should continue to improve."
The Tigers next compete at the Black and Gold intrasquad match Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7 pm (CST) in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse, the first opportunity for fans to see the freshman class in action at home in Columbia. Admission is free for the event.
Columbia, Mo. - Competing in a preseason all-day tournament at Lindenwood University Oct. 29, nine Missouri wrestlers placed in their respective weight classes to open the 2005-06 campaign. Freshman Max Askren (Hartland, Wis.) compiled a perfect 4-0 record on the day to earn the title at 197 pounds.
Dominating the opposition, Askren opened the day by pinning Humberto De La Osa of Waubonsee Community College in 2:40, then took his second match by injury default over Kevin Domain of Central Missouri State University (CMSU). The freshman finished off a stellar opening to his career by beating Ryan Sutton of Lindenwood, 7-1, and earning an 18-8 victory over Steven Doeschot of Truman State University in the championship match.
Freshmen John Olanowski (Virginia Beach, Va.), Dane Espinosa (Neosho, Mo.) and Sean Connole (Erie, Penn.) took second place on the day. Olanowski opened with three straight victories at 125 pounds before falling to Josh Sampo of Lindenwood in the championship match by a 6-3 score. Competing in the 149-pound bracket, Espinosa posted a 4-1 record, matching that of Connole, who earned his first fall of the season by pinning Grailian Nash of Missouri Baptist University in 2:55. The heavyweight teamed with fellow freshman Mark Ellis (Peculiar, Mo.) to dominate the tournament's largest weight class, as Ellis posted a 7-1 record to finish in third place. Each wrestler lost to eventual champion Chase Gormley of Lindenwood by a 5-3 decision.
Joining Ellis with third-place finishes were freshman Nick Marable (Collierville, Tenn.) at 157-pounds and redshirt freshman Joey Garrity (Orion, Ill.) in the 174-pound bracket. Marable earned the first fall of his career by pinning Rocky Vercher of Lindenwood in 4:47, while Garrity highlighted his 5-1 outing by pinning Josh Johnston of Missouri Valley College in just 1:51.
Rounding out the day for the Tigers were the performances of redshirt freshmen Ryan Joyce (Brandon, Fla.) and Andrew Sherry (Sewickley, Penn.), who both finished in sixth at 141 and 149 pounds, respectively. Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith was pleased with the opening competition for his team, ranked No. 14 in the nation by most preseason polls.
"It was good to see the young guys compete with intensity and aggressiveness," Smith said. "They're still in the early phase of their collegiate careers, but they're working hard and should continue to improve."
The Tigers next compete at the Black and Gold intrasquad match Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7 pm (CST) in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse, the first opportunity for fans to see the freshman class in action at home in Columbia. Admission is free for the event.