Mizzou has now won the dual title in three of the last four seasons, after winning it in 2015 and 2016. In six MAC duals this season, Mizzou has outscored its opposition, 217-31. Dating back to Jan. 25, 2014, Mizzou has won 34 of its last MAC 35 duals, outscoring its opposition, 1,039-304.
DUAL RECAP
After a setback at 125 pounds, Mizzou rattled off eight straight victories to take control of the dual, building a 29-3 lead behind bonus point victories from redshirt senior 157-pounder Joey Lavallee (Reno, Nev.), redshirt junior 174-pounder Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs, Mo.) and redshirt freshman 184-pounder Canten Marriott (Blue Springs, Mo.). Lavallee recorded fifth fall on the season, while Lewis and Marriott each recorded major decisions.
NOTABLE TIGERS
Lavallee pinned Blake Montrie in the second period at 3:41 to improve to 22-1 on the season. The fall was the 17th fall of his career, and the fifth on the season. Lavallee has won 16 matches by bonus points this season, recording six major decisions and five technical falls in addition to his five falls.
Lewis continued his perfect season with a 9-1 major decision over Logan Parks, the fourth major decision on the season for the Tiger junior. With the win, Lewis improves to 23-0 on the season with 21 of his wins coming by bonus points (14 falls, four major decisions, three technical falls).
At 184 pounds, Marriott recorded arguably the best win of his career, defeating former MAC Champion and No. 14-ranked Jordan Ellingwood by major decision, 9-1. Marriott improve to 19-4 on the season, with nine of his wins coming by bonus points (five major decisions, three technical falls, one fall).
Redshirt junior 149-pounder Grant Leeth (Kearney, Mo.) and redshirt sophomore Jaydin Eierman (Columbia, Mo.) each posted wins over ranked opponents to set themselves up nicely for top seeds at the upcoming MAC Championships in March. Leeth upend No. 3-ranked Justin Oliver with a takedown at the buzzer for a 3-1 decision win, while Eierman looked dominant against No. 10-ranked Mason Smith, controlling the match throughout for a 6-0 win.
QUOTABLES
Mizzou Head Coach Brian Smith
On the performances of Grant Leeth, Canten Marriott and Joey Lavallee…
"I'm really pleased with Grant Leeth getting a big win over a tough Justin Oliver, who has been an All-American before. It was a tough match that came down to the end, but Grant found a way to win the match. I was really impressed with Canten Marriott as well, who majored a MAC Champion, Jordan Ellingwood, and put himself in a really good spot for the top seed at the conference tournament. And Joey (Lavallee) is Joey. When he keeps shooting the way he has been, he puts a lot of points on the scoreboard, and is really tough to beat. His senior leadership has been a real key to this team's success this season."
On winning the MAC Dual Title…
"Most coaches wouldn't do it, but I reminded the team of the feeling last year after we didn't win the dual title, how much of a letdown that was and how much it hurt. We didn't want that to happen again. It was a team goal of ours to win the dual title, and when we show up to wrestle and do what we know we can do, great things are going to happen. This team has done just that all season."
UP NEXT
Mizzou continues its five-dual road trip to close the season with a matchup against No. 5 Oklahoma State on Saturday, Jan. 27. Action from Gallagher Iba Arena will begin at 7 p.m. (CT), with a live stream of the dual available on FloWrestling for a fee.
For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MizzouWrestling).
Results:
125: Drew Hildebrandt (CMU) dec. No. 22 Barlow McGhee (MIZ): 5-4 | MIZ 0, CMU 3
133: No. 3 John Erneste (MIZ) dec. Dresden Simon (CMU): 6-4 | MIZ 3, CMU 3
141: No. 2 Jaydin Eierman (MIZ) dec. No. 10 Mason Smith (CMU): 6-0 | MIZ 6, CMU 3
149: No. 4 Grant Leeth (MIZ) dec. No. 3 Justin Oliver (CMU): 3-1 | MIZ 9, CMU 3
157: No. 3 Joey Lavallee (MIZ) fall Blake Montrie (CMU): 3:41 | MIZ 15, CMU 3
165: No. 23 Connor Flynn (MIZ) dec. Logan Parks (CMU): 7-3 | MIZ 18, CMU 3
174: No. 4 Daniel Lewis (MIZ) major dec. No. 15 CJ Brucki (CMU): 9-1 | MIZ 22, CMU 3
184: No. 16 Canten Marriott (MIZ) major dec. No. 14 Jordan Ellingwood (CMU): 9-1 | MIZ 26, CMU 3
197: No. 7 Willie Miklus dec. (MIZ) Jordan Atienza (CMU): 7-2 | MIZ 29, CMU 3
HWT: No. 20 Matt Stencel (CMU) dec. Jake Bohlken (MIZ): 9-2 | MIZ 29, CMU 6
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