Senior grapplers survive cyclone and say goodbye
After blowing a kiss to his mom in the stands, senior Michael Chandler waves goodbye one last time to the crowd at the Hearnes Center, where he avenged a previous loss to No. 7-ranked Cyler Sanderson with a 4-0 final score in the 157 pound weight class. Ranked eighth in his division, Chandler now has a season record of 26-5 with an overall career statistic of 94-37.
MU grapplers hosted their last home dual of the 2008-09 season with a match against No. 2 Iowa State. It was the last time that senior wrestlers Marcus Hoehn, Andrew Sherry, Michael Chandler and Raymond Jordan would compete at the Hearnes Center. Hoehn, Chandler and Jordan contributed three wins to the team’s total of five victories. The Tigers defeated the Cyclones with a final score of 18-15.
Redshirt freshman Troy Dolan takes a shot on No. 10 ranked Tyler Clark in the first match of the dual at 125 pounds. Dolan kept the score close, but lost 4-2.
Head coach Brian Smith congratulates senior Marcus Hoehn after he upset No. 3 ranked Nick Gallick with a 4-3 score in sudden victory at 141 pounds. No. 10 ranked Hoehn is now 27-8 with a career record of 58-38.
After defeating No. 18 Duke Burke in the 174-pound weight class by 6-1, No. 5 ranked Raymond Jordan says his figurative goodbyes to the home crowd who will not see him wrestle in a MU singlet at Hearnes again. Jordan extended his season record to 29-3. As a career Tiger, he is 117-27, which means he has averaged four wins out of every five matches.
Junior Nick Marable, ranked fifth in the country, finishes his signature double-leg takedown against No. 7 Jon Reader to contribute to his 3-2 victory.
Volunteer coach Ben Askren, assistant coach Shawn Charles and head coach Brian Smith watch Ben’s younger brother, Max, ranked fourth in his weight class, wrestle No. 1 Jake Varner at 197 pounds. Askren lost 9-4.
At the end of the dual, fans line up to gather signatures from their favorite MU wrestlers.
Photos by Shane Epping
Love the black and white! The photo of the national anthem is particularly striking.
Jamie | Feb.18, 2009
Great effort; great dual season! Take it to Lincoln and load up for the Nationals. See you in St. Louis! GO TIGERS!!
Jim Clark | Feb.18, 2009
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