James Hackney Mizzou – 64.5 Points (5th Place)
Mizzou tied the program record for All-Americans with five, their most since 2017. Mauller, O’Toole, and Rocky all made the podium for the third time in their careers. Mocco and Zach made the podium for the first time after coming up short in the bloodround last year. It was a bummer for seniors Jacques and Hart to come up short, but they have a long history of being top wrestlers with many other credentials to their name.
They were close to a team trophy, but an unexpectedly strong Ohio State tournament and lack of Mizzou bonus points kept them just short of the top four. Mizzou only scored 4.5 points from bonus wins from Surtin and O’Toole. The Tigers had some tough draws through the tournament, but that seemed to be the biggest separator between them and the other teams. Just for comparison Iowa had 12.5 even after Lee MFF out, Cornell had 13, and Ohio State had 15. If Mizzou wants to get that trophy they’ll have to either find more All-Americans or more bonus points.
With all five returning next year, Mizzou is likely near the top in returning NCAA points with 61.5 points when the tournament is in Kansas City next year. With three seniors graduating, it also leaves an opportunity for some new blood in the lineup. The team hasn’t had this many spots open up since 2018.
149lbs: (6) Brock Mauller – 7th Place (4-2)
- 1st Round: Brock Mauller Dec. (27) Jarod Verkleeren, UVA (11-5)
- 2nd Round: Brock Mauller Dec. (22) Chance Lamer, Michigan (4-1)
- Quarterfinals: (3) Kyle Parco, Arizona State Dec. Brock Mauller (4-3)
- Bloodround: Brock Mauller Dec. (16) Jackson Arrington, NC State (4-3)
- Placement Match: (4) Caleb Henson Dec. Brock Mauller (7-2)
- 7th Place Match: (10) Michael Blockhus, Minnesota (6-2)
Brock bounced back from a tough day two with a strong finish to win his placement match against another tough opponent. Mauller scored a takedown in the first period for a lead and a late counter in the third to clinch it. On a deep Blockhus double Mauller hipped in and nearly caught Blockhus on his back. While not the tournament everyone expected, Mauller wrestled well in a meat grinder of a weight class.
165lbs: (2) Keegan O’Toole – 1st Place (5-0)…
