The Missouri wrestling program is dreaming big.

The Tigers are coming off a sixth-place finish at NCAA Championships last season, but they’re aiming higher due in part to newcomers to the lineup like redshirt sophomore Grant Leeth, as well as returning All-Americans Lavion Mayes, Daniel Lewis, Willie Miklus, and two-time NCAA Champion and Olympic medalist J’den Cox.

Leeth was a star high school wrestler in the state of Missouri, racking up three state titles and one runner-up finish during his time at Kearney High School. When it came time to settle on a college, Leeth initially headed east to Duke, where he had a successful redshirt season with a record of 14-4.

Leeth decided after that season that he would like to come home and wrestle for Missouri. Unfortunately for Leeth, he was injured last season and was unable to compete during Missouri’s successful campaign.

After his second summer training session with the team, Leeth mentioned, for the first month he returned to practice, his back was hurting him. Still, he said he feels healthy now.

Leeth also said he and his teammates have been training hard all summer, because they “realize that this year is our best chance at a team title.”

The wrestling team had several watch parties this summer to watch Cox compete internationally. Cox ended up winning a bronze medal at the 86-kg weight class in the Rio Olympics.

Leeth, who competed in youth wrestling with Cox in the Eierman Elite program, said that these watch parties facilitated team bonding and “inspired us to work harder for our own goals.”

This season, Leeth intends to challenge the returning 141-lb starter Matt Manley for the spot. Leeth stated that one of his goals for this season “was to finish in the top three at NCAAs in his weight class.” Leeth also expressed that he wanted to learn “how to dominate guys” this season, and have fun while he wrestled.

Leeth attributes much of his success to his Christian faith. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“I really enjoyed being a part of the FCA and helping out younger athletes,” he said.

The Missouri wrestling team is closely bonded, and Leeth “wants to be a teammate that guys can rely on.” This year’s team will open the season in the top six of most major national polls and has a shot at capturing the first NCAA team title in program history.

The team acknowledges and welcomes the pressure.

“None of us, coaches included,” Leeth said, “would be happy with anything less than a team title.”

_Edited by Theo DeRosa | tderosa@themaneater.com_