OUTLOOK: One of five seniors on this year's Tiger squad, Justin Cole is healthy and looks to challenge for Missouri's starting spot in the lineup at 141 pounds.
"Last season Justin was sidelined by injury," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "This year he's healthy and ready to provide strong competition for the starting spot at 141 pounds. It's his final year of competition and we know he'll push the other 141 pounders to the limit."
2006-07: Set back by injury, Cole did not compete during the 2006-07 season.
2005-06: Finishing his sophomore campaign with a 15-12 record, Cole was 1-2 in dual competition, pinning Seth Robison (CMSU) in 2:48 in his first start of the season at 149 pounds. Cole took third and sixth place at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and Roger Denker Open tournaments, respectively. Wrestling at the UNI Open Dec. 13, Cole opened with a fall in 1:18 over Luther College's Logan Auck but fell to Mike Zinnel of Iowa Central, 8-1. Cole answered with seven straight victories, including one by a fall in 39 seconds, to finish third on the day.
2004-05: Cole picked up a victory in his first three matches of the season Nov. 14 at the Central Missouri State Open (CMSU). Wrestling at 149-pounds, Cole recorded a fall Nov. 27 against Justin Peterson of the U.S. Air Force Academy, the first of two falls on the season. Cole completed the season by winning a 3-2 decision over Shane Dintelman of Eastern Illinois in his second start of the year.
2003-04: One of six Missouri freshmen to redshirt the 2003-04 season, Cole wrestled at 149 pounds and collected 13 wins at open tournaments. Cole finished second at the Missouri Open on Nov. 23, losing his final battle to Joe Rojawitz (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville), 10-6. Scoring one fall on the season and one technical fall, Cole's longest winning streak was four matches.
Wrestling at the Federation Internationale des Luttes Associees (FILA) Junior World Championships May 4, in Lincoln, Neb., Cole finished fifth at the all-day tournament after overcoming his opening match loss (8-7) to Jeremy Powell and wrestling through the consolation bracket.
HIGH SCHOOL: Cole compiled a 177-21 record at Oak Park under coach Gary Mayabb, winning the Missouri State Championship title as a senior (2003). Runner-up as a junior (2002), Cole finished fourth his sophomore season (2001) with the Northmen. Cole was a Junior National Greco All-American and holds the record for most wins ever for a wrestler in the state of Missouri. Cole served as team captain his senior year, helping the squad to a second place finish at the state championships. Aside from wrestling, Cole was a member of the football team.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 9, 1984, in Kansas City, Mo., Justin is the son of John Cole and Bobbie Webber. One of six children, Cole is brother to Rick (32), Jeremy (30), Colby (29), Dakota (15) and Stanton (9). Cole is a personal financial planning major.
