James Hackney
#3 Mizzou over #22 Stanford (39-0)
After a rocky start against Virginia Tech last week, the Tigers hit the ground running against Stanford. The team swept Stanford, including six bonus point wins. The team also scored three big upsets and six ranked wins. Unfortunately, the Pac-12 Network was impossible for me to sign up for so I wasn’t able to watch it. With that I won’t dive into too many details, but try to highlight some takeaways as the team has some time off before the UNI Open on the 20th and a dual against West Virginia on the 26th.
- Mizzou could potentially have 10 All-American contenders.
The team already had five returning All-Americans with Mauller, O’Toole, Mocco, and the Elam brothers. Now in the second semester it looks like every starter could be a threat in March. Surtin has been one of the higher level wrestlers in a chaotic 125 weight class, and has been a contender for years. Kade Moore, Logan Gioffre, and Clayton Whiting are all first year starters but Moore and Gioffre have wins over previous All-Americans and Whiting appears to be right there as well. Seltzer and Edmond look to be battling for the 141 spot, but have the pedigree and style that could give them a run in March. Seltzer just beat two-time All-American Clay Carlson at the Soldier Salute as well.
While it may not be likely, many weights feel much more chaotic than usual. For Mizzou that could be an opportunity to put a surprising amount of wrestlers on the podium. The team has always had wrestlers that performed well in duals, but the always difficult bloodround has seemed to be a sticking point. The team is getting plenty of tough high level matches, and Coach Smith has preached the importance of getting matches like these because that is the type of matches they will have in those all important rounds. If the team can translate these tight matches and wins into March, they could break the program record of five All-Americans in a single season.
- Noah Surtin sounds like he is back to form.
After back to back matches where he struggled to get to his offense Surtin rebounded with a big 11-3 major over Provo, who spent time in the top five rankings earlier this year. In the post match interview Surtin discussed getting to his offense more, and the payoff is clear. On social media he was rocking a neck brace this week, and that makes sense with less leg attacks….
