James Hackney
The Tigers open up their conference duals by taking on the Sooners, who have a new head coach in Roger Kish. Previously at NDSU, Kish has led OU to a great 3-0 start with a number of new starters. Last year Mizzou dominated with a 33-3 win that saw them win nine matches with four bonus point wins. This year there is potentially only two rematches with the different lineups. After dominating a short handed Arizona State team, Mizzou will look to repeat last year’s one-sided dual.
125lbs: #13 Noah Surtin (5-0) vs Conrad Hendricksen (6-1)
Surtin has looked great against unranked competition this year with an 80% bonus percentage early in the year. Hendricksen is a true freshman who wasn’t expected to start, but has looked solid this year. A shorter wrestler, Hendricksen is excellent at keeping position. He works underhooks and appears to be solid in all three positions. Going to an underhook may work against him with Surtin’s offense, and I think he will be aggressive in looking for turns. Hendricksen has the ability to avoid bonus, but I’ll take Surtin staying aggressive for the major.
Prediction: Surtin Maj. Hendricksen (MIZ 4 OU 0)
133lbs: #32 Zeke Seltzer (2-2) vs #33 Jace Koelzer (6-2)
This will be a battle to stay in the rankings, as both Seltzer and Koelzer are on the bubble. Seltzer actually beat Koelzer last year at the Cougar Clash 4-1. In both of his losses, Seltzer has been razor close to getting big wins. Koelzer is tough and having a solid year early….
