Missouri and Stanford open their respective seasons in Kansas City, a straight shot down I-70. The host, perennial Missouri power Oak Park High School. The match will be the first as a head coach for new Stanford skipper Kerry McCoy. The former Lehigh assistant inherits a talented squad that’s looking for immediate respect. Coach Brian Smith has turned Missouri’s program into a national power after taking over what was the doormat of the Big 12. Missouri returns a solid core of starters with national experience as well and a large pro-Mizzou contingent is expected at Oak Park.
125:
Tim Kephart/Austin DeVoe (Missouri) vs. #14 Tanner Gardner (Stanford) |
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Missouri has been without a healthy starter at 125 for the past few seasons, although returning wrestlers Austin DeVoe and Tim Kephart are battling for the starting spot. Kephart should take to the mats against returning NCAA qualifier Tanner Gardner, who will be wrestling 60 miles from his hometown of Berryton, Kansas.
If Kephart shows the promise that he did coming out of high school, this should be a dandy of a bout. The same can be said if DeVoe has the nod. Gardner has a slight advantage and is fresh off a championship wrestling up at 133 at the Menlo Open.
InterMat Pick: Gardner by decision.
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133: Tyler McCormick (Missouri) vs. Rafael Chavez (Stanford) |
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Chavez went 12-8 last season, but didn’t have any notable victories over the Pac 10’s top competition, while McCormick started out very strong in 2004-05 before losing his season at the Big 12 championships due to injury. Look for McCormick to get the Kansas City crowd into the match with a solid victory.
InterMat Pick: McCormick by major decision.
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141: Chris McCormick (Missouri) vs. Juston Johnson (Stanford) |
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Like brother Tyler, Chris McCormick started strong in 2004-05 and will be looking to place at the NCAA tournament in his final season at Missouri. Johnson went 8-10 last season and 4-5 in duals. This is another bout that’s in the Tigers’ favor.
InterMat Pick: McCormick by major decision
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149: Josh Wagner (Missouri) vs. Josh Zupancic (Stanford) |
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Wagner might be undersized at 149 and that’s not a good thing against a tough, scrappy kid like Zupancic. The Stanford sophomore went 22-9 last season as a redshirt freshman, good enough for fifth-best for wins in a season by a Cardinal wrestler. Zupancic is tough on top and this will be Wagner’s first real test of his career. Stanford would like some bonus points out of one of its top All-American candidates.
InterMat Pick: Zupancic by decision.
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157: Michael Chandler (Missouri) vs. Scott Loescher (Stanford) |
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This is another weight where the Cardinal are favored. The Oregon native Loescher went 21-17 while Chandler went 20-14 in open competition. Loescher has a solid Greco-Roman background and a throw could be in the cards. Loescher’s only a sophomore, but he’s got an advantage with his experience over the redshirt freshman.
InterMat Pick: Loescher by major decision
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165: #4 Matt Pell (Missouri) vs. Ray Blake (Stanford) |
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Stanford needs to pick up some bonus points before Missouri gets into the meat of its upperweights: Pell was an All-American wrestling up at 184 pounds last season and Blake saw limited action, going 10-6. This could be an opportunity for the Tigers to pull away. Pell is wrestling at a more natural weight and should come out looking to impress.
InterMat Pick: Pell by fall.
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174: #1 Ben Askren (Missouri) vs. #6 Imad Kharbush (Stanford) |
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Two-time NCAA runner-up Ben Askren should be the man nationally at 174-pounds this season, and while Kharbush is ranked in the Top 10, Askren should start his season strong. Kharbush made the NCAA quarterfinals last year and fell one match short of placing, but Askren’s mat dominance makes him an overwhelming favorite. Kharbush might be upset minded, but Askren’s the nation’s most feared pinner.
InterMat Pick: Askren by fall.
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184: Raymond Jordan (Missouri) vs. Ryan Hagen (Stanford) |
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Hagen is a senior with a 41-34 overall record in his time at Stanford, while North Carolina native Raymond Jordan is a redshirt freshman. Look for this to be Jordan’s coming out party, as he possesses unbelievable strength with top-notch ability. Jordan’s going to make an impact in 2005-06.
InterMat Pick: Jordan by decision
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197: #16 Jeff Foust (Missouri) vs. Ian Bork (Stanford) |
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Foust returns as the starter at 197 for Missouri, while Bork will be wrestling relatively close to home, as he’s a native of Lawrence, Kansas. Foust is looking to make a return to the NCAA championships after missing out last season. Bork went 10-11 last year, but we could see McCoy’s influence on the Stanford upperweights should Bork hang in and pull off the upset.
InterMat Pick: Foust by decision
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285: Sean Connole (Missouri) vs. Jared Boyer (Stanford) |
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A toss-up in nearly every aspect. Boyer's an Oklahoma native that's a solid freestyle wrestler but is a but undersized for a typical college heavyweight. Connole is taller than most heavyweights and leverage is definately one of his strengths. Both redshirted last year and this should be a diverse matchup between two of the squads younger wrestlers.
InterMat Pick: Connole by decision.
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Final Score: Missouri 29, Stanford 10 |
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