After an injury-filled 2024 season, the Missouri Tigers had a respectable 11th place finish with ten qualifiers and three All-Americans in Keegan O’Toole and the Elam brothers. They graduated seniors Brock Mauller, Peyton Mocco, and Zach Elam. While the transfer portal was active in the offseason there wasn’t too much action in favor for the Tigers, with Brant Whitaker (Wyoming), Peyton Moore (NDSU), Ryan Boersma (UNC), Korbin Shepherd (Cal Poly), Sean Harman (Oregon State), and Clayton Whiting (Minnesota).
They return big hitters with Keegan O’Toole and Rocky Elam, along with bloodround wrestlers Josh Edmond and Colton Hawks. There are some new faces in multiple weights, with likely lineup battles through the season as well. After a frustrating finish to 2024, this team will be looking to get back into the top 10 with an experienced team that could again feature 10 qualifiers.
125lbs: Noah Surtin (Senior) – Offseason Interview
Last season Surtin started the season hot, winning his first nine matches and climbing to a top three ranking in a chaotic weight. In the second half of the season we saw him wearing a neck brace, akin to Grant Leeth in prior years. His only losses headed into the postseason were overtime losses to Troy Spratley and Cooper Flynn, but he was another Mizzou wrestler bit by the injury bug.
A disappointing NCAA’s saw him go 0-2, but in the regular season he had wins over All-Americans Jore Volk and Tanner Jordan along with ranked wins over wrestlers like Brett Ungar and Nico Provo.
If healthy, Surtin is as much of a podium contender as anyone else at this weight. The Big 12 is especially stacked with returning champ Richie Figueroa, All-Americans Jore Volk and Tanner Jordan, along with contenders like Troy Spratley and Stevo Poulin. Surtin’s top wrestling and big move ability can break any match open, and his emphasis on improving leg attacks has been clear the past few seasons.
Heading into his senior year Surtin has had one of the more underrated careers at Mizzou, with wins over All-Americans scattered throughout his history. It hasn’t come to fruition in March yet, but he has the ability when healthy.
133lbs: Kade Moore (Sophomore) – Offseason Interview
Kade Moore didn’t start the year in the lineup but snatched up the opportunity when Zeke Seltzer couldn’t maintain the weight. He won his first six dual matches, including a massive pin over two-time All-American Sam Latona.
His first dual loss didn’t come until a 10-9 loss to two-time NCAA champ and World champ Vito Arujau in a barnburner. After that match an off the mat incident left him recovering both physically and mentally and we didn’t see him again until the postseason. Unfortunately the time off clearly affected him, as he went 1-4 between NCAA’s and Big 12’s after earning an At-Large bid.
