Missouri Closes Out National Duals with Loss

Cedar Falls, Iowa- The No. 17 Missouri wrestling team suffered a 23-15 loss to seventh-ranked Cornell, closing out their fifth consecutive run through the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals with a 1-2 record.  Missouri now stands at 2-4 on the year.

Four Tiger grapplers collected wins in their matches against Cornell.  Sophomore Patrick Wright (Grand Ledge, Mich.) recorded Missouri’s first victory of the evening with a 3-2 win by decision over John Basting.  Missouri’s 157 pound grappler closed out the day with a spotless 3-0 record.

Senior Nicholas Marable, also 3-0 on the day, shut down 12^th-ranked Justin Kerber, 12-3, in the 165-pound bout. The Missouri All-American grappler managed three takedowns in the first period alone, tacking on an escape in the second and takedowns and reversal in the third.  Additionally, Marable was awarded one point in the second period for Kerber’s locked hands and one point for 1:12 of riding time. 

Missouri’s third win of the dual came from senior Maxwell Askren (Hartland, Wis.) at 184 pounds.  Askren was one of three Missouri wrestlers, in addition to Wright and Marable, to finish the tournament with three wins.  Askren won his bout with No. 17 Steve Bosak, 11-3 and collected 2:25 of riding time. 

Sophomore Dominique Bradley (Blue Springs, Mo.) closed out the evening with a 13-4 win over Cornell’s Taylor Moore.  Bradley held on a 4-1 lead after the first period and retained his advantage throughout the entire match.

Missouri will return to dual competition on Jan. 16 when they take on Chattanooga in Tennessee.