The University of Missouri wrestling team, ranked No. 25 nationally, completed the first day of competition at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia on Thursday. The Tigers ended the day with four wins distributed among wrestlers Keegan O’Toole, Cam Steed, and J Conway.
Keegan O’Toole advanced to the quarterfinals in the 174-pound division after winning both his matches. Cam Steed remains active in the 165-pound consolation bracket, while J Conway earned a win before being eliminated.
In Session I, both Steed and O’Toole won their opening matches. O’Toole secured a fall against Michael Wilson from Rider University. Steed achieved a close decision victory at 165 pounds following several reviews. Other Missouri competitors—Kade Moore (133), Conway (157), Colton Hawks (184), and Josh Edmond (141)—lost their initial bouts.
Session II saw Conway earn a decision win in a consolation pigtail match but later lose to Cobe Siebrecht of South Dakota State, ending his tournament run. Moore was eliminated after losing to Anthony Noto of Lock Haven University. Edmond also exited after another sudden victory loss.
Steed attempted to avenge an earlier defeat against Cam Amine but lost and moved into the consolation bracket. O’Toole advanced by defeating Stanford’s Lorenzo Norman with multiple takedowns in the third period.
Tournament notes highlight that Steed picked up his fourth decision win this season; most of his other victories have come with bonus points. Both Steed and O’Toole faced opponents from new conferences for them this season—the Southern Conference and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association, respectively. O’Toole recorded his third pin of the year during his first-round match and notched only his third decision win out of 18 total victories this season; all others included bonus points.
This year marks the lowest number of Missouri quarterfinalists since 2012 when Brent Haynes was the sole representative at that stage for Mizzou at 197 pounds. Josh Edmond concluded his season with five overtime matches, finishing with two wins and three losses in those bouts.
O’Toole has now reached the NCAA quarterfinals for five consecutive seasons—a step closer to tying Missouri’s program record for All-American honors.
The championships continue Friday at Wells Fargo Center with Sessions III and IV scheduled for March 21. The morning session will include championship quarterfinals as well as additional rounds in wrestle-backs; evening action will determine All-Americans along with further consolation rounds and semifinals.