Health problems plague wrestlers

The Tigers picked up another win, leaving them ranked third.

By Ryan Huber

Published Feb. 16, 2007

The No. 3 Missouri wrestling squad pulled away late in its home dual against unranked Old Dominion on Wednesday in a 20-12 final. With three starters out sick and many more less than match-ready, the MU team's health took precedence over the victory.

"Old Dominion came to wrestle their butts off and came to beat us," coach Brian Smith said. "I'm just frustrated for our kids. They are really rundown, and we aren't practicing much."

Among the 18 wrestlers not well enough to compete was No. 1-ranked senior Ben Askren, who stayed away from the bench to isolate the sickness, according to Smith. Senior Matt Pell and redshirt freshman Ashtin Primus weren't even on the floor.

"It's time to get healthy and recouped, and go out for Big 12s," redshirt freshman Max Askren said. "We've got three guys out (of the starting lineup). They didn't compete, not because they didn't want to, but it was best for the team. We probably had some guys that should have sat out, but the team needed them."

Old Dominion's Kyle Hutter came out with vengeance, claiming a last-second 6-5 victory over 125-pounder John Olanowski.

Junior Tyler McCormick picked up a 2-1 riding time victory in the 133-pound weight class to tie the dual at three, but teammate Marcus Hoehn, Primus' backup, lost in a 9-3 decision.

The meet's surprise loss came in the 149-pound match-up, as No. 7-ranked Josh Wagner gave up a combined 10 points after the first period in a 14-7 loss to Kaylen Baxter.

"That just didn't look like Josh," Smith said. "Honestly, I'm at a loss for words. I want to get this team back on track. They just aren't themselves right now, and that's frustrating for a coach to see that."

Old Dominion coach Steve Martin said the win couldn't have come at a better time.

"That was a huge win for Baxter," he said. "He's got a lot of losses, but he has wrestled nearly everybody in the top 20, losing by one or two or two points. His time was due to beat somebody."

The loss put the Tigers down 9-3 and in danger of losing the match with two backups still to wrestle.

But the Tigers swept the remaining five matches to secure the victory, keeping their record at only two losses. MU has only lost to the teams directly ahead of it in the rankings: No. 1 Minnesota and No. 2 Iowa State. But Smith remains happy with the team's recent performance.

"We found a way to win, but we aren't the team we were three weeks ago," Smith said. "We are losing matches at the end of periods, and we just look exhausted. I've got to find a way to get them healthy."