Tiger Style Invite Preview: Mizzou Eyes Seven Titles as Season Gets Rolling

Mizzou continues their annual Tiger Style Invite for their first tournament of the year with a handful of new teams. This year the #9 Tigers will host #17 Purdue, #20 Little Rock, Oregon State, Morgan State, and South Dakota State. The nice thing about the opponents is the mix of conferences and different faces as they’ll see a Big 10 team, three PAC 12 teams, and one EIWA team. As always this tournament will be filled with a mix of starters and depth from all teams so brackets will vary. 

125lbs: 

Mizzou Wrestlers: #20 Mack Mauger, Will Pfeifer, Jason Hampton

Notable Wrestlers: #16 Brady Roark (SDSU), Ashton Jackson (PUR), Isaiah Quintero (PUR), Hunter Taylor (ORST), Revin Dickman (LR), Isaiah Jones (LR)

Last season Mauger was in the finals against Brady Roark and led 5-1 late. While pushing for bonus points Mauger was in on a deep shot, but Roark hit a winn-dixie for six points and the win. The two faced off again at Big 12’s where Roark again won, this time with a narrow 1-0 decision. These two are the favorites and only ranked wrestlers coming in this year but with a number of unranked challengers. 

Ashton Jackson and Isaiah Quintero were both landmines last year, with the two narrowly losing to Roark and Mauger in the semis. Hunter Taylor should be a familiar name to Missouri high school fans as a three-time state champ from Liberty High School. This is his first year as the starter for the Beavers. Revin Dickman and Isaiah Jones were both top 100 recruits on the 2026 Big Board. 

I’m taking a repeat of last year’s finals but with Mauger getting the win over Roark this time. Look out for Jackson, Quintero, or Taylor to try and get an upset in the bracket though as they are just outside the rankings.

Predictions: 1. Mack Mauger (MIZ) 2. Brady Roark (SDSU) 3. Hunter Taylor (ORST) 4. Ashton Jackson

133lbs: 

Mizzou Wrestlers: #9 Gage Walker, Hank Benter, Boogie Harris

Notable Wrestlers: #25 Cale Seaton (SDSU), #27 Gabe Whisenhunt (ORST), Zach Stewart (PUR), Camden Baum (PUR), Manny Saldate (ORST)

Walker didn’t compete in last year’s Tiger Style Invite as he was redshirting the first semester. Last year saw Cale Seaton make a run to the finals while Kade Moore finished 3rd for Mizzou. This year Walker is the highest ranked by a good bit, but will have some quality challengers. Cale Seaton returns and Gabe Whisenhunt is a PAC 12 champ who is coming off a U23’s performance that saw him finish 5th. 

Zach Stewart and Camden Baum are both top 100 Big Boarders and competing for a starting spot with the Boilermakers at either 133 or 141. Manny Saldate likely isn’t the starter but had a solid redshirt season and was also a top 100 recruit in 2025. Hank Benter’s exciting top work could be a factor in this bracket and someone to keep an eye out for as well.