Willie Miklus celebrates after beating T.J. Dudley at 184 pounds (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)
"I didn't panic when I fell behind in the match," said Miklus. "I still wrestled until the end. I was just happy to get the win for the team and that we were able to get the win as a team."
Junior 197-pouner J'den Cox (Columbia, Mo.) became the 24th member of the 100-win club with a 16-7 major decision over Aaron Studebaker. Cox is the fastest Tiger wrestler to 100 wins in program history, doing so in 105 matches.
"J'den is wrestling well," said head coach Brian Smith. "When he is shooting and scoring like that, he is unstoppable."
Redshirt sophomore 125-pounder Barlow McGhee (Rock Island, Ill.) began the dual off for the Tigers with a 5-3 win over No. 10-ranked Tim Lambert. McGhee trailed 3-2 in the third period after a stalling call, but utilized an escape and a takedown the capture the victory.
In the third match of the night, redshirt junior 141-pounder Matt Manley (Perry, Okla.) scored takedowns in the first and second period, along with a reversal in the second for a 6-2 win over No. 20-ranked Anthony Adidin.
With the Tigers trailing 10-6, redshirt freshman 165-pounder Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs, Mo.) brought the Tigers within a point with a 4-0 victory over No. 13-ranked Austin Wilson.
Blaise Butler finishes off a takedown on Micah Barnes (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)
Following Lewis, redshirt senior 174-pounder Blaise Butler (Belvidere, Ill.) regained the lead for #TigerStyle with a narrow 7-5 win over No. 20-ranked Micah Barnes. With the bout tied, 4-4, heading into the final period, Butler scored a takedown and was awarded a point for riding time to claim the victory.
In Miklus' match against Dudley, the Tiger sophomore trailed 4-2 with time winding down in the bout. Miklus scored an escape and a takedown with less than five seconds to steal the victory.
At 197 pounds, Cox scored seven takedowns in the first two periods to take a commanding lead over Studebaker. Cox added an escape point and a point for riding time to preserve the major decision, 16-7. The Tigers led 19-10 after the bout and would go on to win the dual 19-14.
"I wouldn't have got to where I am today without my team around me pushing me and driving me to become a better wrestler every day," said Cox. "It's hard to do this sport alone, to have a great group of teammates and coaches around me is a blessing."
Mizzou will next be in action March 5-6 in Ypsilanti, Mich. for the Mid-American Conference Championships. The Tigers will be looking for their fourth consecutive title and fifth conference title overall in the tournament.
Results:
125: #9 Barlow McGhee (MIZ) dec. #10 Tim Lambert (NEB), 5-3 (MIZ 3, NEB 0)
133: #13 Eric Montoya (NEB) dec. #15 Zach Synon (MIZ), 4-0 (NEB 3, MIZ 3)
141: #7 Matt Manley (MIZ) dec. #20 Anthony Abidin (NEB), 6-2 (MIZ 6, NEB 3)
149: #4 Jake Sueflohn (NEB) tiebreaker-1 #3 Lavion Mayes (MIZ), 4-1 (NEB 6, MIZ 6)
157: #19 Tyler Berger (NEB) major dec. Le'Roy Barnes (MIZ), 10-2 (NEB 10, MIZ 6)
165: #4 Daniel Lewis (MIZ) dec. #13 Austin Wilson (NEB), 4-0 (NEB 10, MIZ 9)
174: #7 Blaise Butler (MIZ) dec. #17 Micah Barnes (NEB), 7-5 (MIZ 12, NEB 10)
184: #14 Willie Miklus (MIZ) dec. #9 TJ Dudley (NEB), 5-4 (MIZ 15, NEB 10)
197: #2 J'den Cox (MIZ) major dec. #12 Aaron Studebaker (NEB), 16-7 (MIZ 19, NEB 10)
HWT: #19 Collin Jensen (NEB) major dec. Cody Johnston (MIZ), 9-1 (MIZ 19, NEB 14)
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