May 4, 2004

Lincoln, Neb. - Three Missouri wrestlers finished among the top five of their respective weight classes in the Federation Internationale des Luttes Associees (FILA) Junior World Team Trials in Lincoln, Neb., on Friday, April 30. Redshirt freshman Ben Askren took first place at 185 pounds, true freshmen Tyler McCormick (132) and Justin Cole (145.4) finishing second and fifth respectively in freestyle at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. (For a list of Missouri results, please see below).

Three weeks removed from qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Askren took the 185-pound FILA Junior Freestyle Title with an 8-4 decision over Roger Kish. Starting his day with a bye in the first round, Askren cruised to the finals with three technical falls (10-0, 16-5, 11-0). A native of Hartland, Wis., Askren competed at the 2002 FILA Junior World Team Trials and finished fourth. Askren closed his redshirt fresman year at Missouri with a 32-5 record, claiming All-American honors following his second place finish at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis.

A Leawood, Kan., native, McCormick made his FILA Junior World Team Trial debut earning a silver medal after dropping a 5-1 decision to T.J. Enright. One of two Missouri wrestlers to compete at 132 pounds, McCormick wrestled his way to the gold-medal round, earning two technical falls (10-0 and 11-1) and two decisions.

Cole (Gladstone, Mo.) opened the tournament with an 8-7 loss to Jeremy Powell and wrestled his way through the consolations to finish fifth at 145.5 pounds. Earning a win by injury default over Alex Tsirtsis, Cole was the third and final Tiger to record a top-five finish on the day.

Ben Askren: 185 pounds
Round: Wrestler over Wrestler (affiliation)
Gold: Ben Askren decision Roger Kish (Minnesota Storm): 8-4
Semifinals: Ben Askren technical fall Matt MAciag (Wisconsin):11-0
Quarterfinals: Ben Askren technical fall David Bertolino (Cyclone WC): 16-5
Second Round: Ben Askren technical fall David Helfrich (Lehigh WC): 10-0
First Round: Ben Askren: Bye

Tyler McCormick: 132 pounds
Round: Wrestler over Wrestler (affiliation)
Gold: T.J. Enwright (Ohio International WC) decision Tyler McCormick: 5-1
Semifinals: Tyler McCormick decision Brandon Kinney (Lion WC): 4-1
Quarterfinals: Tyler McCormick technical fall Dionte Lacy (Gladiators): 11-1
Second Round: Tyler McCormick decision John Stour (Lehigh WC): 8-7
First Round: Tyler McCormick technical fall Jeff Oldham (Maryland): 10-0

Justin Cole: 145.5 pounds
Fifth: Justin Cole injury default over Alex Tsirtsis (Dave Schultz Wrestling Club)
Consolations: Justin Cole decision Joel Carr (Illinois): 7-4
Consolations: Justin Cole decision Matthew Crippes (Air Force): 12-10
Consolations: Justin Cole decision Clint Leonard (Orange Crush): 5-3
Consolations: Justin Cole fall C.J. Ettelson (Cat Club of NE Iowa): 5:45
Consolations: Justin Cole decision Wesley English (Bad Boys): 4-3
First Round: Jeremy Powell (Gladiators) decision Justin Cole: 8-7