The Missouri wrestling program is more than familiar with its upcoming opponents, having taken on Eastern Illinois 16 times in their history and grappling against the Mules of CMSU 41 times. Current Tigers Head Coach Brian Smith has never lost to either squad and carries a 6-0 record against each team during his tenure in Columbia, Mo.
The last time Missouri and Eastern Illinois shook hands at center circle, the Tigers finished off the 2004-05 regular season with a 28-9 victory. CMSU faced off against the Tigers most recently in 2003-04, with Missouri coming out on top 48-0. Missouri is 10-6 all time against the Panthers and 35-6 versus the Mules.
Three Missouri wrestlers have faced opponents they'll likely see again this weekend. Senior Chris McCormick (Leawood, Kan.), the No. 19 competitor in the nation at 141 pounds, beat CMSU's Wade Killgore, 2-0, at the CMSU Open Nov. 13. McCormick has also wrestled his likely Panther opponent, beating Casey Carrino 11-2, Nov. 20, on his way to a Missouri Open title.
Freshman heavyweight Sean Connole (Erie, Penn.) has also faced each of the opponents he'll probably shake hands with in center circle on Saturday. In fact, the biggest member of Missouri's lineup has already seen CMSU's Dan Moore twice, beating Moore with a 4-3 decision, Oct. 29, in Connole's first action of the season, then losing to the Mules heavyweight, 5-2, at the CMSU Open. Connole fell to Eastern Illinois Danny Perez Nov. 13, in 1:20. Both heavyweight matchups look to be some of the most exciting bouts of the weekend.
No. 1 junior Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.), who competes at 174 pounds, will take on a familiar opponent in Eastern Illinois Kenny Robertson, ranked No. 13 in the country. The only ranked Division 1 wrestler the Tigers will face this weekend, Robertson was pinned by Askren in 2:20 at the CMSU Open Nov. 29, their only meeting of the season.
The Tigers wrestle Eastern Illinois in the first dual at noon and take on Central Missouri State at approximately 2 p.m. CST.
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