Vince Hannon, a native of Lombard, Ill., and Nick Velliquette of Nixa, Mo., are each expected to compete at 125 pounds for the Tigers. Hannon compiled a 156-28 mark for Montini High School, placing at the Illinois State Tournament three times and helping the team to three state championship titles. Competing on the national stage, Hannon placed fifth at both the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals and the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Senior Nationals. Hannon is a two-time Illinois state freestyle champion, and finished eighth at the Cadet Freestyle Nationals.
Nick Velliquette was a two-time Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) state finalist for Nixa High School, finishing second at 119 pounds as a junior and winning the state title as a senior.
Aaron Bridgeman joins the Tigers and is expected to wrestle at 184 pounds after winning 77 consecutive matches from his junior to senior years in Maysville, Mo. Bridgeman compiled a 151-8 record in high school, taking fourth place as a sophomore before winning back-to-back MSHSAA titles at 189 pounds with consecutive unbeaten seasons. Bridgeman was named the Class I Wrestler of the Year as a senior, and finished third at the Brut/Adidas Nationals in 2006.
Rounding out the class, Mitch Barnett will make the trip from Liberty, Mo., to join Missouri's squad at either 197 pounds or heavyweight. Barnett compiled an 82-29 mark at Liberty High School, becoming a three-time state qualifier and a state champion at 215 pounds as a senior. Barnett also racked up 52 pins in four years at Liberty High School.
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