Mizzou Sends 10 to the 2015 NCAA National Tournament

Sunday was all about fourth place for Mikey England.

For a wrestler accustomed to winning, it was strange to be satisfied with a fourth place finish in the MAC tournament. However, for the 165 pound redshirt senior, it was his chance to secure a bid for the NCAA National Championships.

After losing on day of one the tournament, England didn’t even know it was possible for him to secure an automatic bid for nationals.

“My coaches mentioned it, but I kind of didn’t believe them,” said England.

England entered the day needing to win a fifth place match against Jordan Wohlfert from Central Michigan to even be in contention for fourth place.

Then everything had to fall into place to set up a true placement match for fourth place against Shaun’Qae McMurtry.

“I just went out and wanted to end my career with a win,” said England. “Then all of a sudden, I still had another match and was like let’s do this, let’s send ten guys to nationals.”

England (165) became the tenth Mizzou wrestler to secure an automatic bid for the national championship joining teammates Alan Waters (125), Zach Synon (133), Lavion Mayes (141), Drake Houdashelt (149), Joey Lavalle (157), Johnny Eblen (174), Willie Miklus (184), J’Den Cox (197) and Devin Mellon (285). For the first time in Mizzou history, all 10 wrestlers won an automatic bid.

“You have 10 guys that can score, it just gives you an advantage at the National tournament,” said Mizzou head coach Brian Smith.

In addition to the National Championship bids, Mizzou was looking for its fourth consecutive conference championship, and Mizzou had eight wrestlers competing in first place matches. Coach Brian Smith said he wanted his wrestlers to have an attack mentality, and Alan Waters wouldn’t disappoint.

Waters set the stage with four takedowns, and a huge 11-4 victory to win the title at 125 pounds. Zach Synon, who had to win the first place match to qualify for an at-large bid, followed with a 3-2 victory after a late takedown to win the title at 133 pounds.

Mizzou did not have a wrestler in the championship match at 141 pounds, but Lavion Mayes needed to win his third place match against Jake Hodges from Northern Iowa to secure his NCAA Championship bid. A 4-3 score in favor of Mayes after two periods set the stage for a dramatic finish.

A quick escape by Hodges tied the match early in the third period. There would be no more scoring until Mayes recorded a takedown with two seconds left in the match. He won by a 6-4 decision.

Mizzou would then relinquish all of the momentum. Mizzou lost the first place matches in the 157, 174 and 184 pounds weight class.

Mizzou turned to J’Den Cox to get them back in the win column. Cox had to face Ohio’s Phil Wellington, who came into the match as one of Cox’s two non-exhibition losses in his career. Cox however would not be denied.

The sophomore recorded a takedown in the first period and extended his lead to 3-0 early in the second period. Cox was able to fend off Wellington for the remainder of the match to secure the 3-1 victory.

“I felt confident,” said Cox. “I faced him last year, so there was nothing that I wasn’t going to not expect.”

Redshirt senior Devin Mellon had the final first place match of the day against number one ranked Blaize Cabell from Northern Iowa. In almost a carbon copy of Cox’s match, Mellon recorded a takedown in the first, and an early escape in the second. He then overcame a third period reversal by Cabell to win a 4-2 decision.

“I needed a big win to win MAC’s and have a lot of confidence going into nationals,” said Mellon.

Mizzou set a MAC team record with a score of 139.5 points and won going away, but Coach Smith already has his sights set on the NCAA National Championships.

“We had four goals this season. We have three done,” said coach Smith. “We will enjoy this for a couple of more hours, but we are meeting tomorrow at 3:30 and focusing on St. Louis.”

Mizzou will now prepare for the NCAA National Championships in St. Louis, March 19-21st.