For the first time in five years, No. 9 Missouri wrestling traveled to McCasland Field House in Norman, Oklahoma to face the No. 20 Oklahoma Sooners. The longtime Big 12 rivals fought back and forth, but the visiting Tigers pulled away late for a 23-14 victory.
Missouri improved to 7-2 this season and remained at the moment a top of the Big 12 standings with a perfect 5-0 record.
At 125 pounds, Missouri redshirt freshman Noah Surtin defeated Oklahoma redshirt senior Joey Prata 4-3 in the closing seconds of the match with a takedown, giving the Tigers an early 3-0 lead. After Surtin’s victory, Missouri dropped three of its next four matches. The lone win came on a fall by redshirt junior Allan Hart, 141 pounds, over the Sooners redshirt junior Jacob Butler.
Trailing 11-9, Missouri freshman Keegan O’Toole overpowered Oklahoma junior Troy Mantanona, giving the Tigers a 14-11 lead and improving his record to 14-0. Missouri’s lead would not last long as Sooners redshirt senior Anthony Mantanona defeated redshirt freshman Sean Harman to tie the match at 14.
Missouri redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Kent defeated junior Darrien Roberts 5-4 in the third period, giving the Tigers a 17-14 lead.
Brothers freshman Rocky Elam and redshirt sophomore Zach Elam sealed the victory for the Tigers. Rocky Elam took down redshirt senior Jake Woodley with a 4-1 decision, while Zach Elam came away with a 5-3 decision victory over redshirt sophomore John Heindselman.
“We got out with a win, but I thought we could wrestle better,” head coach Brian Smith said. “I really liked the way Allan Hart and Keegan O’Toole wrestled, as well as Jeremiah battling back after being cradled. I saw some good things, but we have to put it together as a team.”
Edited by Brandon Haynes | bhaynes@themaneater.com