Wrestlers hit the home mat against Nebraska

By Ryan Huber

Published Jan. 23, 2007

After three wins, the No. 1 MU wrestling team dropped to No. 2 when it lost to now-No. 1 Minnesota in the final match of the Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The Tigers first knocked off Pennsylvania and Northwestern and then beat Oklahoma State for the second time in 34 meetings to advance to meet the Golden Gophers.

"Our team did great," sophomore 174-pounder Max Askren said. "There were a couple slip-ups, but for the most part we got after it. I was glad we didn't stray away from our philosophy, which is always getting after it and doing it our way."

With 13 days between the National Duals and the upcoming home match against No. 20 Nebraska, coach Brian Smith said his squad has hit the mats hard.

"We are training them really hard, and they are working hard," he said. "Hopefully, they will believe in what they are doing. That's what you have got to get the kids to believe in right now and that they are training hard for the end of the year because the end of the year is not far."

Smith said he hopes individual attention will pay dividends.

"We've started individual drills where a couple days a week guys are coming in with just one other person and a coach and working on things and working to get better," he said.

From the top to the bottom of the order, the Tigers will need improvement if they want to claim the national title come March 15 at the NCAA Championships in Auburn Hills, Mich.

"There is a lot of pressure on the team, but I think we're responding to it well," sophomore 157-pounder Michael Chandler said. "We're not folding under pressure. It could be the first time since 1965 that Missouri has won a national title."

And with that attitude, Smith and his squad look at this training time as a way to separate themselves from the pack.

"Even though you don't like a training phase, you know it's needed and you've got to get through it, and get through it the best you can, and try and improve," Smith said.

Nebraska has been an Achilles' heel for the Tigers in recent years.

"They are always tough," Smith said. "They've beaten us the past two years, which is frustrating to our program. On paper, we are the better team, but we've got to go out there and win the matches we are supposed to, battle in the matches we aren't supposed to and pull off upsets."

Smith said home support, especially from students, is important.

"I'm hoping more students come and watch our program," he said. "We are one of the better teams on campus the last few years, and this year we have a shot at winning the national title. I hope they come out and support us."