Mizzou Wrestling ends losing streak, tops Utah Valley

The Tigers secured the victory with a win in the final match

Mizzou Wrestling got its first win since late December Friday night with a narrow 18-16 victory over Utah Valley. The Tigers won the first five matches before the Wolverines came all the way back, making the dual’s final match decisive in the outcome.

Fortunately for Tiger Style, Jarrett Stoner was up to the task at heavyweight, and the team secured the victory despite missing seven starters. Let’s break down the action:

All rankings are according to InterMat.

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125lbs: #32 Gage Walker (MIZ) over NR Bridger Ricks (UVU), 6-3 Decision

Walker kept the match scoreless in the first two periods with some nice defensive scrambling in the opening frame after Ricks brought him to the mat from behind, then rode for the full second period with multiple mat returns.

Walker pulled ahead after being let up by Ricks to start the third, who then went on the attack with a single leg which quickly stalemated. Walker struck with a double leg for a takedown, leading by four, before a reversal by Ricks cut the lead in half.

Ricks again let Walker up, needing a takedown to tie the score, but Walker held on for the decision despite a stalling penalty and secured the extra point for riding time. The freshman continues to impress and has risen to the level of a Big 12 starter despite not being expected to wrestle much at the beginning of this season.

Mizzou: 3 – Utah Valley: 0

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133lbs: NR Jake Crapps (MIZ) over NR Kase Mauger (UVU), 9-2 Decision

Jake Crapps didn’t let any nerves get to him in his first-ever dual meet start as a Tiger, battling it out early on with Kase Mauger and scoring the first takedown of the bout after getting in deep on Mauger’s ankle. He rode out the final minute, taking a 3-0 lead into the middle frame.

Starting from neutral, Crapps continued to shoot lightning fast low single leg shots. Mauger scrambled well to force stalemates, keeping the score 3-0 heading into period three as Crapps took bottom.

He scored the quick escape and immediately went back on the attack, securing a quick takedown before Mauger got on the board with a reversal. Mauger tried to start his comeback by working on top, but the move backfired when Crapps scored a big reversal of his own. He then went to work on top, unable to score any back points but riding out the period to secure the extra point and the 9-2 decision.

This was incredibly impressive work from the true freshman, taking down a multi-year Big 12 starter with ease and displaying aggression which has been severely lacking in the Mizzou lineup this season. With more performances like this, Crapps may push Kade Moore for the starting role soon.

Mizzou: 6 – Utah Valley: 0

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141lbs: #16 Josh Edmond (MIZ) over NR Haiden Drury (UVU), 7-5 Decision

Edmond carried over Crapps’ aggression from the previous match, bringing Drury to the mat for a first minute takedown just before going out of bounds. Drury scored the escape then tried to work his way around Edmond, a move which backfired as Edmond took the opening to quickly finish another takedown.

Drury’s next two points came on escapes, including one to begin the second period. Drury came out more aggressive in period two, going for a shot which was caught by Edmond. Edmond counterattacked and got at Drury’s leg, bringing him to the mat, but the action stalemated.

Edmond got the quick escape from bottom to start the third, leading by four, and took a defensive stance for the final two minutes. Drury got in on a low single leg shot, taking Edmond to the mat for what was initially ruled a takedown before referees waved off the call and confirmed that on review.

Edmond was penalized twice for stalling in the final 30 seconds, making the final score closer than the wrestlers’ overall performances, and continued the Tigers’ winning streak in this dual.

Mizzou: 9 – Utah Valley: 0

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149lbs: NR Zeke Seltzer (MIZ) over NR Smokey McClure (UVU), 8-2 Decision

Seltzer got on the board first in this match with a quick escape from bottom in period two, then went for an ankle pick to rapidly finish a takedown and take a 4-0 lead. He rode for about 30 seconds before a McClure escape, pulling him within three as they entered the final frame.

McClure scored a quick escape, bringing him within striking distance, and went on the offensive. But Seltzer took advantage of a sloppy attempt to get around him, counterattacking to easily secure the takedown before riding out the period for the extra point. Seltzer continues to look solid at 149lbs in place of Logan Gioffre, and the move to bump him up has paid off dividends for the Tigers.

Mizzou: 12 – Utah Valley: 0

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157lbs: NR Jay Conway (MIZ) vs NR Ryker Fullmer (UVU), 9-6 Decision

Fullmer came out with a bang, scoring a takedown in the first 15 seconds. The action died down after a Conway escape until the final seconds, when Conway got in deep on a shot and secured the takedown for a lead entering period two.

Fullmer changed that quickly, starting on bottom and working for a reversal near the edge of the mat. Conway scored another quick escape, tying up the match heading into the final period.

Conway escaped after 20 seconds, taking a one point lead, and attacked off a restart with a blast double leg shot. He then picked up Fullmer, slamming him to the mat for a takedown and a comfortable lead. Fullmer escaped off a restart, but Conway wrestled through to the end and secured a solid victory to keep the team’s unbeaten streak going.

Mizzou: 15 – Utah Valley: 0

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165lbs: #4 Terrell Barraclough (UVU) over NR Joel Mylin (MIZ), 3-0 Decision

Barraclough scored the first, and only, big move in this low scoring matchup with a reversal in the second period after starting on bottom. He went to work on top, unable to score any back points but riding out the period.

He continued to ride in the third period, going the full two minutes to earn the extra point with 3:15 of riding time and putting Utah Valley on the board with his 3-0 decision.

Mizzou: 15 – Utah Valley: 3

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174lbs: NR Mark Takara (UVU) over NR Logan Cole (MIZ), Victory by Fall (1:05)

Takara flipped the narrative of this meet on its head, taking advantage of the inexperienced Cole with an aggressive strategy for a quick takedown. He immediately went searching for back points, securing a pin in only 65 seconds and shifting momentum to the Wolverines.

Mizzou: 15 – Utah Valley: 9

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184lbs: NR Caleb Uhlenhopp (UVU) over NR Jeremy Jakowitsch, 10-0 Major Decision

After a scoreless first period, Jakowitsch (bumping up a weight class) rode for 30 seconds to begin period two before Uhlenhopp got at his leg and tripped him for the reversal. He extended his lead working from top position, scoring a four point nearfall and riding out the middle frame.

Starting from neutral, Uhlenhopp further secured his advantage by getting around Jakowitsch and in on his leg for a takedown. He again rode out the period, securing the extra point with 2:10 of riding time and narrowing the Tigers’ lead to two with the major decision.

Mizzou: 15 – Utah Valley: 13

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197lbs: NR Kael Bennie (UVU) over NR Jesse Cassatt (MIZ), 9-5 Decision

Cassatt came out determined to keep Mizzou ahead, quickly getting in on a single leg and bringing Bennie to the mat for a takedown. Bennie escaped off a restart and counterattacked on a shot by Cassatt but couldn’t score, making it 3-1 entering period two.

Bennie rode tough to begin the frame before Cassatt escaped with just over a minute left, retaking a three point lead. But Bennie went on the offensive, securing his first takedown with a single leg shot and driving Cassatt to the mat. Cassatt scored a big escape late, retaking the lead entering the final period.

After some early clock troubles, Bennie escaped to tie it back up. Cassatt got in on a low shot, picking Bennie up, but strong defense allowed the Wolverine to win the scramble and seize the lead with a takedown. He rode out the period, adding the extra point with 1:48 of riding time to put Utah Valley in the lead entering the night’s final bout.

Mizzou: 15 – Utah Valley: 16

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285lbs: NR Jarrett Stoner (MIZ) over NR Jack Forbes (UVU), 5-1 Decision

Both wrestlers came out with an attack oriented mindset, getting in and around with single leg shots but unable to finish for the takedown. Stoner took bottom after a first period full of action but without any scoring, quickly changing that with an escape in the first 10 seconds of period two.

Forbes got in deep on an ankle pick late in the second frame but Stoner turned it around, winning the scramble and scoring the takedown for a 4-0 lead before riding out the rest of the period.

Stoner continued to display his strong skill for maintaining control on top in the third period, riding for nearly a minute and 45 seconds before Forbes escaped. By that point, it was too late for a comeback attempt, and Stoner’s second period heroics and an extra point for riding time secured the 5-1 decision and team victory for the Tigers.

Mizzou: 18 – Utah Valley: 16

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This was a strong first step for the Tigers after their seemingly nonstop avalanche of injuries, and more positive news came before the match as Cam Steed and Seth Nitzel both look like they’re ramping up to return this weekend at the Cyclone Open.

Both wrestlers will return just in time for a major matchup against Arizona State, which recently got defending national champion Richard Figueroa back at 125lbs from injury. The Tigers will spar with the Sun Devils at the Hearnes Center on Wednesday, January 22.

The meet starts at 6:30 p.m. and will stream on UFC Fight Pass.