No. 9 Missouri proves that while it has had a dominant performance since rejoining the Big 12 Conference, it still struggles with minor technicalities after losing its dual to No. 23 South Dakota State 21-12.
The Tigers started with an explosive match win when 125-pound redshirt freshman Noah Surtin defeated SDSU sophomore Tanner Jordan 6-0. Surtin was able to keep the movement going even as Jordan put up a good defense and stalemated. Surtin was consistent in his moves and successfully got two takedowns through good hand control. Last season, the SDSU wrestler got the better of Surtin when they faced off and Jordan won 7-6.
Later in the dual, freshman Josh Edmond defeated SDSU sophomore Daniel Kimball 8-3. Edmond took charge of the match to get a takedown in the first period. He continued his match with multiple takedowns and quick attacks. Edmond was able to stay defensive when Kimball chose to attack, and Edmond kept his lead to win the match. Edmond’s matches are quick, and Edmond tried to find every shot he could take and avoid stalemates.
Another notable win of the day was 141-pound redshirt junior Allan Hart against SDSU junior Clay Carlson, where Hart was able to win 4-2 despite being given a stalemate halfway through the match. Junior Jarrett Jacques, 157-pounds, also won 7-3 against SDSU junior Kenny O’Neil. In previous weeks, Jacques has struggled to stay busy and hold on to his confidence to get the advantage over his opponents. His win came despite missed shot attempts, follow-throughs and a stalemate.
However, with only four wins, the Tigers showed that they need to put in more work to be a top contender in the BIG 12 Conference.
During the 133-pound match, redshirt senior Connor Brown lost to SDSU sophomore Gabriel Tagg within the first 27 seconds of their match by pin. After the pin, Brown was visibly shaken and stayed on the mat after Tagg walked off. Missouri medical staff ran out on the mat to check on him. Brown walked off the mat by himself after the match was officially called.
After Brown’s loss, 165-pound redshirt freshman Mitchell Bohlken matched with SDSU junior Tanner Cook. Usually, freshman Keegan O’Toole would wrestle for Missouri at 165 pounds. However, with his already explosive season, it looked like Missouri was sitting him out to rest and stay ready for the Big 12 Championship a month away. Bohlken lost 6-2 to Cook as he struggled to follow through and “be quick,” as Missouri coaches could be heard yelling in the arena.
Then, one after another, Missouri wrestlers fell to the SDSU team. Redshirt freshman Sean Harman, 174-pounds, was defeated by SDSU sophomore Cade DeVos 7-4. In sudden victory, 284-pound redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Kent lost to SDSU junior Cade King 6-4 after King was taken away by Missouri’s medical team for concussion protocol. Following Kent’s loss, 197-pound freshman Rocky Elam lost to SDSU junior Tanner Sloan 5-2. Heavyweight redshirt sophomore Zach Elam lost 2-0 to SDSU senior A.J. Nevills.
The common theme among Missouri’s six individual losses was the lack of confidence in the wrestlers’ attacks and the inability to be even with their opponents, causing stalemates. Missouri wrestled No. 20 Oklahoma away two nights earlier on Jan. 20, which could have worn the Tigers out before their performance against SDSU.
The Tigers will travel to Orem, Utah for a tri-dual on Jan. 29 against Wyoming at 5 p.m. and Utah Valley at 9 p.m. CST.Edited by Riley Gearhart | rgearhart@themaneater.com