Missouri Wrestling Finished Regular Season with Striking Loss at Iowa State
For the second time this weekend, the Missouri Tigers were without eight starters, this time resulting in a 41-3 loss at Iowa State to close the regular season on Sunday.
However, head coach Brian Smith was pleased with the effort put forward by the younger wrestlers over the weekend as the starters rested this weekend.
Missouri forfeited at 125 pounds without a sub-in for redshirt junior Noah Surtin.
Freshman Drew Stanfield (133) opened for Missouri against No. 7 ISU redshirt freshman Evan Frost. Frost got three early takedowns in the first period against Stanfield to take the early lead. Stanfield got low shots and used his hips and hands to try to attack Frost. The effort was insufficient for Stanfield as Frost defeated him by a technical fall 19-3.
In the first ranked match-up of the afternoon, No. 22 redshirt sophomore Josh Edmond (141) went against No. 9 ISU senior Anthony Echemendia. Edmond came onto the mat explosive with a body lock and near fall in the first 15 seconds to lead 7-0 against Echemendia. Echemendia came back in the second and shortened Edmond's lead 8-7 because Edmond got called for stalling three times. Echemendia got a late takedown in the third and defeated Edmond 10-9.
Following Edmond, Missouri dropped the next four matches:
- 149 - No. 6 Casey Swiderski (ISU) over Zeke Seltzer by technical fall, 20-4
- 157 - No. 14 Cody Chittum (ISU) over James Conway (MIZ) 11-4
- 165 - No. 2 David Carr (ISU) over Jeremy Jakowitsch (MIZ) by fall, 1:42
- 174 - No. 19 MJ Gaitan (ISU) over Ellis Pfleger (MIZ) by fall, 5:32
After the Tigers dropped seven bouts, redshirt sophomore Colton Hawks (184) was picked over redshirt freshman Clayton Whiting to wrestle No. 11 ISU senior Will Feldkamp.
Hawks trailed in the first period but stayed even stylistically, with Feldkamp avoiding crucial takedowns and getting two near falls to lead 9-7 heading into the third. Hawks held onto his lead at the last minute with a takedown, securing an upset over Feldkamp by decision, 12-8.
Following Hawks, redshirt sophomore Jesse Cassatt (197) dropped the match against ISU senior Julien Broderson 7-2.
Then, in a top 5 meeting with both wrestlers undefeated, No. 5 redshirt senior Zach Elam (HWT) dropped his match to No. 3 ISU senior Yonger Bastida by a major decision, 13-4. The loss makes Z. Elam 21-1 in his final season with Missouri.
Although the Tigers lost two-conference duals this weekend, they were able to showcase their younger talent. The younger wrestlers were able to get early takedowns and strikes. However, they were unable to build momentum throughout their bouts. The Tigers were also plagued with stall calls and stalemates that cost them points in crucial matches.
Missouri finished its season 10-4 overall and 6-3 in conference.
Up Next
Missouri will head to the 2024 Big 12 Wrestling Championship at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., March 9-10.
Those who wrestle in the championship will compete for berths in the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championship. Missouri will be looking to claim its 13th straight conference championship (MAC 9, Big 12 3).