The University of Missouri wrestling team secured a 22-16 victory over No. 20 West Virginia on Sunday at Mizzou Arena, marking its first ranked win of the season. The Tigers, now holding a 5-7 overall record and 4-1 in Big 12 competition, extended their winning streak in conference matches to three.
Missouri began the dual with freshman Gage Walker facing Jett Strickenberger, who is ranked No. 14 by Intermat at 125 pounds. Strickenberger narrowly won that match with a 7-6 decision. The Tigers responded by winning the next four bouts. Redshirt sophomore Kade Moore pinned Tommy Maddox at 133 pounds, putting Missouri on the scoreboard. At 141 pounds, redshirt junior Josh Edmond earned a 5-2 decision over Jordan Titus. Redshirt junior Logan Gioffre came from behind to defeat Sam Hillegas at 149 pounds, while redshirt sophomore James Conway secured a major decision over Sasha Gavronsky at 157.
Following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against West Virginia, Missouri led 16-2 heading into the break. Redshirt sophomore Cam Steed took an early lead against Peyton Hall but lost in a close contest, with Hall taking the match by a score of 10-8. West Virginia then claimed victories in the next three weight classes—174, 184 and 197—tying the team score at sixteen points each.
In the final bout at heavyweight (285 pounds), redshirt freshman Jarrett Stoner and Michael Wolfgram were tied at four points apiece before Stoner won by injury default, clinching the dual for Missouri.
After this result, Missouri improved its all-time record against West Virginia to five wins without a loss and has outscored them by a combined total of 141-56 across those meetings.
Additional notes from Sunday’s action include Walker’s continued trend of wrestling close matches against ranked opponents; Moore recording his second consecutive dual win and fifth fall in six matches; Gioffre returning to competition at his previous weight class for the first time since November; Conway earning bonus points for only the second time this season; and Stoner achieving his second dual-clinching victory after previously defeating Utah Valley’s Jack Forbes.
Next up for Missouri are road matches against No. 22 Oklahoma on Friday, Feb.1 and No.3 Oklahoma State on Sunday, Feb.2.
For more information about Missouri wrestling or updates throughout the season, visit MUTigers.com or follow Mizzou Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram under @MizzouWrestling.
Complete results:
No.23 Missouri defeated No.20 West Virginia by a score of 22-16.
Individual results:
125 lbs: Jett Strickenberger (WVU) defeated Gage Walker (MIZ), decision 7-6
133 lbs: Kade Moore (MIZ) defeated Tommy Maddox (WVU), fall (3:22)
141 lbs: Josh Edmond (MIZ) defeated Jordan Titus (WVU), decision 5-2
149 lbs: Logan Gioffre (MIZ) defeated Sam Hillegas (WVU), decision 9-8
157 lbs: James Conway (MIZ) defeated Sasha Gavronsky (WVU), major decision 14-4
165 lbs: Peyton Hall (WVU) defeated Cam Steed (MIZ), decision10-8
174 lbs: Brody Conley (WVU) defeated Joel Mylin (MIZ), major decision12-2
184 lbs: Dennis Robin(WVU) defeated Jeremy Jakowitsch(MIZ), major decision11-2
197 lbs: Ian Bush(WVU) defeated Jesse Cassatt(MIZ),decision8-3