In a top-20 matchup between Big 12 opponents No. 2 Missouri and No. 20 West Virginia, the Tigers came on top by a score of 30-6, but at 165 the No. 1 Keegan O’Toole vs No. 9 Peyton Hall rematch did not disappoint.
Mountaineers head coach Tim Flynn wrestled three reserves in the defeat.
The match started at 125, with No. 6 Noah Surtin getting a technical fall over West Virginia’s Jace Schafer.
At 133, No. 24 Kade Moore of Mizzou would pin Davin Rhoades in 2:56.
With his team down 11-0, WVU’s 141-pounder No. 10 Jordan Titus would defeat No. 20 Josh Edmond in ultimate tiebreaker by criteria (riding time), with the score being 2-2.
At 149, true freshman No. 7 Ty Watters would earn a 6-1 decision over No. 11 Logan Gioffre of Missouri.
With the score at 11-6 in the Tigers advantage, West Virginia wouldn’t win another bout for the rest of the match.
At 157, Missouri’s No. 5 Brock Mauller earned a 16-4 major decision over Alex Fornfeck.
Then, the most anticipated match of the night ensued at 165 as O’Toole would narrowly defeat Hall by a score of 8-7.
Hall was leading 6-5 heading into the third period, after two early takedowns but in the end O’Toole showed why he is number one.
Mizzou would earn four straight decisions to put away the Mountaineers.
No. 4 Peyton Mocco over Jack Blumer at 174 (5-1), No. 9 Clayton Whiting over No. 29 Dennis Robin at 184 (9-6), Colton Hawks over Austin Cooley at 197 (2-1) and lastly at heavyweight (285), No. 4 Zach Elam over No. 31 Michael Wolfgram (7-0).
Rankings according to NCAA coaches’ poll.
Photo courtesy of WVU Athletics