Missouri wrestling proved it will continue to be a top contender in the Big 12 Conference after winning its season opener on Thursday against North Dakota State 37-3. 

The Tigers went 9-1 in their matches against North Dakota State, who went 7-3 last year. One of those losses last season was to Missouri, when the Tigers defeated them 38-3.

At 149 pounds, freshman Josh Edmond showed that height is not always an advantage, as he faced North Dakota State senior Jaden Van Maanen and won by major decision 12-4. Van Maanen is taller and lankier compared to Edmonds’ more muscular and shorter stature. However, Edmond made it look easy, as he continued to get behind Van Maanen and take him down, giving him the upper hand to secure Missouri’s third win of the evening.

184-pound redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Kent burst into his first match of the season defeating North Dakota State sophomore Michael Nelson 14-1. Kent put the 6-foot-2 inch sophomore into multiple cradles with ease as he accumulated throughout each period. 

165-pound freshman and junior world champion Keegan O’Toole showed that he is still in top form after competing in Ufa, Russia, in August, defeating North Dakota State senior Luke Weber. O’Toole completed a rock-a-bye cradle for a pin and won after a fall at 4:46 in the match. 

The singular loss was attributed to 157-pound junior Jarrett Jacques, who fell to North Dakota State junior Jared Franek 6-4. Jacques struggled throughout the match opening up and attacking Franek to get any major calls or bonus points

The Tigers looked good throughout their matches but faced many technical issues, from not finishing their positions to a technical violation called on redshirt junior Allan Hart for losing his headgear against North Dakota State junior Dylan Droegemueller. 

“We were attacking and getting some tilts and turns, but we are not where I want us to be,” Missouri head coach Brian Smith said in a press release. “We can definitely improve. I am glad we get to compete again Sunday and continue to grow as a team.”

Missouri’s win sets a new level and tone for the Big 12 Conference from now on, as they have their eyes set on winning this year’s championship and returning to the 2022 NCAA Championships in Detroit, Michigan. 

The Tigers will head home to Columbia and face Northern Colorado on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Edited by Mason Arneson, marneson@themaneater.com