Wrestling Adds Seven More to 2012-13 Class
Tigers 2012-13 signing class consists of 13 student-athletes in all

April 30, 2012


COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri wrestling program has announced the addition of seven student athletes to their 2012-13 class. Joining the Tiger program next season will be Cole Baumgartner, Tyler Berg, Matthew Lemanowicz, Tanner Minder, Matt Ornoff, Blake Pepper and Zach Synon. Mizzou signed six others to National Letters of Intent back in November.

“We’re very happy to add these seven student-athletes to our 2012-13 class,” said head coach Brian Smith. “These guys know what it takes to be successful in the classroom and competition and have bought in to what TigerStyle wrestling is all about.”

Cole Baumgartner – Jefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson City)
Three-time captain for Jefferson City High School … placed in state all four years, including runner-up finishes as a sophomore and a senior … tied for most wins in school history … only second Jay wrestler to place in state all four years … National High School Coaches Association Academic All-American … also played soccer for JCHS and was captain his senior year … named All-District, All-Regional and All-State Honorable Mention for soccer … served on the student council for four years and was Treasurer as a senior … member of the National Honor Society … named Central Missouri’s High School Athlete of the Week in December 2011 … Named Central Missouri Athlete of the Month for February 2012 … has a 4.111 cumulative GPA and is ranked second out of 496 seniors in his class.

Tyler Berg – Lathrop, Mo. (Lathrop)
Lettered four times in both wrestling and football and twice in track … finished fifth in state at 171 pounds as a freshman … placed third at the same weight as a sophomore in 2009-10 … won his first state title in 2010-11 as a junior at 215 pounds … became a two-time state champion with his 220 pound title in 2011-12 … finished his senior year with a perfect 54-0 record … was named District Wrestler of the Year for his senior campaign … chose Mizzou because he feels the wrestling program and education that the University provides will help him achieve his educational, personal and athletics goals to his maximum potential.

Matthew Lemanowicz – Lee’s Summit, Mo. (Lee’s Summit)
Lettered with varsity all four years … career record of 155-33… three-time First Team All-Conference … Two-time Class 4 District 4 Champion … two-time All-State … two-time Academic All-State … Academic All-American … 2012 Class 4 District 4 Wrestler of the Year … helped Lee’s Summit to a conference championship in 2010 and a fifth place finish at Class 4 State … member of 2011 Missouri National Freestyle Team … holds school career records for takedowns (408), two-point near falls (56), wins (155) and technical falls (20) … holds school season records for takedowns (180), wins (52) and technical falls (10) … lettered in choir … four-time Academic letterman … National Honor Society member … grade point average of 4.2 … ranks 16th out of 421 in his class.

Tanner Minder – Kansas City, Mo. (Kearney)
2012 Missouri state champion … four-time Missouri state finalist … three-time NWCA Academic All-American … 2012 Conference Wrestler of the Year … holds Kearney High School records in career wins (187), season wins (55), career team points (1061) and season team points (323.5) … was team MVP in 2012 … named Mr. Wrestler in 2009-10 … Rookie of the Year in 2008-09 … 2011 USA/Dollamur Kansas City Wrestling Classic Finalist … 2010 Freestyle Jr. Dual All-Tournament Team with a 7-0 record.

Matt Ornoff – Mundelein, Ill. (Mundelein)
Mundelein High School record holder with 155 career wins … three-time state qualifier … two-time state placer … two-time sectional and regional champion … two-time conference champion … four-time All-Conference … two-time Freestyle National Qualifier … also holds school records for most wins in a season and most career takedowns … made Honor Roll every term and was a two-time Academic All-Conference selection … graduating Cum Laude with honors.

Blake Pepper – Imperial, Mo. (Seckman)
Career record of 58-10 … placed fifth at state in 2011 … member of 2008 Cadet National Team … 2008 Missouri USA State Champion … finished in seventh at the Folkstyle National Championship in 2008 … took fifth in the 2008 Tournament of Champions … placed seventh at the 2008 Fargo Cadet National Championship in freestyle at 105 lbs. … named 2008 Outstanding Cadet Wrestler by the St. Louis Wrestling Officials Association … also played football for Seckman High School and was named 2010 Offensive Player of the Year … was also a two-time Suburban South All-Conference selection in both 2010 (after rushing for over 1500 yards) and 2011 (despite missing half the season) … brother of Missouri wrestling videographer Johnny Pepper.

Zach Synon – Cary, Ill. (Prairie Ridge)
Four-year varsity wrestler … career record of 147-29 … went 47-1 as a senior with his only loss coming at state, which he avenged to finish in third place … qualified for state in 2010 and 2011 … 125 pound Greco Roman Illinois State Champion and Freestyle runner-up in 2011 … 2011 Fargo All-American in Freestyle, placing eighth … 2009-10 Illinois National Dual Team member … 2010 Greco Roman State Champion at 119 pounds … Frosh-Soph State Champion in Folkstyle at 103 pounds … High Honor Roll.