The Missouri wrestling team captured its 17th win of the season Friday night with a 24-12 victory over MAC opponent Northern Illinois.
There were a few wrestlers on the mat for the Tigers that fans may not have been used to. At the 125-pound spot, Aaron Assad replaced the usual Barlow McGhee. Unfortunately, Assad was unable to take advantage of his opportunity as he dropped the first match of the night to Kirk Johansen.
The trio of John Erneste, Jaydin Eierman and Grant Leeth was able to push the Tigers to a lead, picking up a win by way of decision, fall and major decision, respectively. At the 157-pound spot, Keegan McCormick replaced Joey Lavallee and fell to Caden McWhirter by way of decision.
For the remainder of the dual, the only Tigers that were able to pick up wins were the wrestlers that head coach Brian Smith usually has in the lineup — Connor Flynn, Canten Marriott, Willie Miklus and Wyatt Koelling. At the 174, Daniel Lewis took a backseat to Taylor Watkins, who couldn’t pick up a win in just his eighth match on the season.
In the final match, Koelling looked to redeem himself after a 17-4 loss in the dual against Oklahoma State. Koelling was able to pick up the victory with a nail-biting 4-3 win, ending the dual at 24-12.
The Tigers are a month out from the MAC Championships in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Until then, Mizzou will have a pair of duals at SIU Edwardsville and Northern Iowa.
_Edited by Bennett Durando | bdurando@themaneater.com_
