Wrestling opens season against Illinois
MU wrestling will start off the season on Thursday night at 6:30 at the Hearnes Center against border rival Illinois. Last season, MU finished in 7th place at the NCAA Tournament, while the Illini finished No. 8.
Both teams enter with five wrestlers ranked among the top 25 in the nation in their respective weight class. For Missouri, three of those wrestlers are returning All-Americans. Illinois also had three All-Americans last season, but lost two to graduation, and will redshirt 133 pound wrestler Jimmy Kennedy this season.
Missouri will see two new faces in its lineup at 133 pounds and 197 pounds. Redshirt freshman Nathan McCormick will be the third McCormick to wrestle for MU, and will wrestle at 133 pounds. Redshirt freshman Brent Haynes will also be making his Missouri debut, wrestling at 197 pounds. Haynes will take on three-time NCAA qualifier and ranked No. 12, Patrick Bond.
This is the first time in 10 years that Illinois is not ranked in the preseason poll. Redshirting Kennedy could benefit the Illini in the long run, but it will be a major loss this season, since they no longer have a true face to their program. Illinois might start off strong since Missouri struggles in the lower weight classes, but Missouri should win this dual fairly easily, especially once the depth of Missouri's upper weights starts to show.
