Wrestling Honored at State Capitol, Announces Season Awards
April 18, 2014
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Brian Smith and his Tigers paid a visit to the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City Thursday morning to be recognized in front of both the Missouri House and Senate. The Missouri state government celebrated the program's third-consecutive conference title as well as the University's fifth and youngest national champion in true freshman J'den Cox. The Tigers officially ended the 2013-2014 wrestling season this past Friday, April 11, with their annual year-end banquet. The banquet served as a time for the team to look back on the successes of the season and celebrate the triumphs of the wrestlers, young and old.
Joey Lavallee picked up the award for most pins on the season, proving to be an incredible asset to the team as a true freshman. Lavallee finished first in two tournaments this season and took second in two more. With a third place finish at the MAC Championships, Lavallee secured himself a trip to his first ever NCAA Championships. His first season at Mizzou drew to a close with a record of 30-11 overall and 5-4 in duals.
Redshirt freshman Lavion Mayes earned the Most Improved Wrestler this year, making his way into the starting line-up at 141 pounds. Mayes' hard work showed when he took first place at the Joe Parisi Open and second place at both the UNI and UCM Opens. He would continue to impress by qualifying for the NCAA Championships after taking fourth place at the MAC Championships. His record this season was 29-14, with a record of 7-3 in duals.
Senior Jordan Gagliano was awarded the Ed Lampitt Total Tiger Award, which is given to a wrestler who shows leadership on and off the mat. Graduating with highest honors for his undergraduate degree and already working on his Masters degree, Gagliano showed high academic achievements in all five years with the program, earning the Total Person Program Award this year. Gagliano went 25-12 this season and finishes his time at Missouri with an overall record of 77-34.
Matt Lemanowicz's hard work in the weight room resulted in him earning the Strength and Conditioning Award. The redshirt freshman went 14-8 this season, claiming a first place finish at the Joe Parisi Open and a second place finish at the Kaufman-Brand Open.
Closing out the season, junior captain Drake Houdashelt picked up two awards on the night. The Iron Man Award, given for his hard work in the strength and practice rooms, as well as the Hap Whitney Coach's Award. The Hap Whitney Coach's Award is given to the wrestler who consistently shows dedication, commitment, sacrifice, and unselfishness to the team. Houdashelt went 38-3 this season overall, earning 35 dual points with a dual record of 10-1. Additionally, Houdashelt holds the team season record for wins by major decision (12) and technical fall (6). Taking first place in all four tournaments he participated in this season, Houdashelt also picked up the first place title the 2014 MAC Championships at 149 pounds, making it his third consecutive conference title as a Tiger. After qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the third time in his career, Houdashelt would pick up his second All-American honor and place 5th overall.
The Marshall Esteppe Most Outstanding Freshman Award was given to true freshman J'den Cox for his significant contributions to his class and teammates. Cox also picked up the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award, which is an award that has been given out each year dating back all the way to 1963. In his first year on the team, Cox took first place in three of his four tournaments. He then not only won his first MAC Championship at 197-pounds, but he also won the NCAA Championships and became the youngest and fourth ever Tiger to win a National Championship and earn All-American Honors. Cox lost only twice this season, leaving him with an overall record of 38-2. Cox won 11 of his 12 dual matches and led the team with 39 dual points.
from mutigers.com
April 18, 2014
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Brian Smith and his Tigers paid a visit to the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City Thursday morning to be recognized in front of both the Missouri House and Senate. The Missouri state government celebrated the program's third-consecutive conference title as well as the University's fifth and youngest national champion in true freshman J'den Cox. The Tigers officially ended the 2013-2014 wrestling season this past Friday, April 11, with their annual year-end banquet. The banquet served as a time for the team to look back on the successes of the season and celebrate the triumphs of the wrestlers, young and old.
Joey Lavallee picked up the award for most pins on the season, proving to be an incredible asset to the team as a true freshman. Lavallee finished first in two tournaments this season and took second in two more. With a third place finish at the MAC Championships, Lavallee secured himself a trip to his first ever NCAA Championships. His first season at Mizzou drew to a close with a record of 30-11 overall and 5-4 in duals.
Redshirt freshman Lavion Mayes earned the Most Improved Wrestler this year, making his way into the starting line-up at 141 pounds. Mayes' hard work showed when he took first place at the Joe Parisi Open and second place at both the UNI and UCM Opens. He would continue to impress by qualifying for the NCAA Championships after taking fourth place at the MAC Championships. His record this season was 29-14, with a record of 7-3 in duals.
Senior Jordan Gagliano was awarded the Ed Lampitt Total Tiger Award, which is given to a wrestler who shows leadership on and off the mat. Graduating with highest honors for his undergraduate degree and already working on his Masters degree, Gagliano showed high academic achievements in all five years with the program, earning the Total Person Program Award this year. Gagliano went 25-12 this season and finishes his time at Missouri with an overall record of 77-34.
Matt Lemanowicz's hard work in the weight room resulted in him earning the Strength and Conditioning Award. The redshirt freshman went 14-8 this season, claiming a first place finish at the Joe Parisi Open and a second place finish at the Kaufman-Brand Open.
Closing out the season, junior captain Drake Houdashelt picked up two awards on the night. The Iron Man Award, given for his hard work in the strength and practice rooms, as well as the Hap Whitney Coach's Award. The Hap Whitney Coach's Award is given to the wrestler who consistently shows dedication, commitment, sacrifice, and unselfishness to the team. Houdashelt went 38-3 this season overall, earning 35 dual points with a dual record of 10-1. Additionally, Houdashelt holds the team season record for wins by major decision (12) and technical fall (6). Taking first place in all four tournaments he participated in this season, Houdashelt also picked up the first place title the 2014 MAC Championships at 149 pounds, making it his third consecutive conference title as a Tiger. After qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the third time in his career, Houdashelt would pick up his second All-American honor and place 5th overall.
The Marshall Esteppe Most Outstanding Freshman Award was given to true freshman J'den Cox for his significant contributions to his class and teammates. Cox also picked up the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award, which is an award that has been given out each year dating back all the way to 1963. In his first year on the team, Cox took first place in three of his four tournaments. He then not only won his first MAC Championship at 197-pounds, but he also won the NCAA Championships and became the youngest and fourth ever Tiger to win a National Championship and earn All-American Honors. Cox lost only twice this season, leaving him with an overall record of 38-2. Cox won 11 of his 12 dual matches and led the team with 39 dual points.
from mutigers.com
