CAPTAIN
OUTLOOK: Selected as team captain for the third year, senior Jeremy Spates (pronounced spAtes)leads the way in the 149-pound weight class. Ranked eighth in the nation in the Amateur Wrestling News preseason polls, head coach Brian Smith is grateful for the experience that Spates has brought to the team.
"Jeremy has really helped to build the program," Smith said. "He was one of our first top recruits and he's always put in his time. The coaching staff expects big things from him this year when he steps out on the mat."
2002-03: Making his second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships, Spates opened with a loss to Jody Giuricich of Pennsylvania (4-2). Competing in the wrestlebacks, Spates fell victim to Rob Becker of George Mason in an 8-5 decision, ending his chances for a national championship. On March 8, Spates finished third in the Big 12 Championships at home, defeating Nate Gallick (Iowa State), 4-0. With a 5-1 record in the Big 12, including 3-0 on the regular-season, Spates faced six top-25 opponents finishing 4-3. One of three captains on the team, Spates picked up his 75th career-victory with an 11-3 major decision over Patrick Shuler (Wyoming), on Feb. 9. Spates began his season with a win in the 141-pound championship at the Central Missouri State Open, later going 6-2 at the Las Vegas Invitational before withdrawing due to injury. Over the summer, Spates along with teammate Austin DeVoe, traveled with head coach Brian Smith on the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Collegiate All-Star International Tour. Spates went 7-2 while traveling through cities in Greece and Bulgaria.
2001-02: Spates was team co-captain and stood ranked in the top-15 all season. Opening with a double overtime win over Illinois' Ryan Berger, Spates took fifth at the Missouri Open on Nov. 18. As a sophomore, Spates defeated Indiana's Steve Amy, 8-5, Purdue's Paul Sacquitne, 6-4 and Nebraska's Scott Burnell. He finished second at the Reno Tournament of Champions with a 4-1 record and went 3-0 as the Tigers claimed the Championship at the Virginia Duals. Spates was selected to participate in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on Jan. 28, and defeated Hofstra's Jason DeBruin 6-0. Spates was 3-0 at the Cornell Duals and fifth on the team in victories with a 23-9 record, recording his 50th win at Mizzou after defeating Karl Nadolsky of Michigan State on Feb. 10. Spates fell in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championships to the eventual conference title-holder Jared Frayer of Oklahoma. At the University Nationals on May 2, Spates finished second and was an alternate for the University World Championships.
2000-01: Spates wrestled in open tournaments as a redshirt freshman and took first place at the Central Missouri State Open, the Roger Denker Open and Lindenwood Open. He finished third in the Missouri Open and the University of Northern Iowa Open.
1999-00: As a true freshman, Spates posted a 32-13 record and earned titles at the Great Plains Open, the Central Missouri State Open and the Lindenwood Open, as well as an NCAA tournament berth. His dual record was 15-7, and he led the team in takedowns with 68.
HIGH SCHOOL: While attending Norman High School, Spates was coached by Gordon Mercer. Spates was a High School All-American, a three-time Junior All-American and an Oklahoma State Champion. Spates participated in several college open tournaments, winning the St. Louis Open freshman/sophomore division on Nov. 19-20, and placing at the Missouri Valley Open.
PERSONAL: The son of Jack and Darla Spates, Jeremy was born Dec. 8, 1978, in Scranton, Penn. A business management major, Spates' father is the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners wrestling team. Spates has one brother, Justin (21) and two sisters, Jeni (20) and Jessica (28).
