Mizzou wrestling welcomes back Tiger Style legacy

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Teague Travis grew up in a wrestling household. Three generations of his family have been involved with the sport, and in November, he signed to compete for the same team his father and uncle did.

"I actually started wrestling at Columbia Wrestling Club," said Travis. "I was a little kid running around here, up at the Hearnes. I just really fell in love with it."

Division I wrestling was always the goal for Travis, striving to reach the next level throughout his time at Father Tolton high school. When the time came to make a choice, he chose to carve his own path, instead of following in the footsteps of his family.

"The decision making process was tough obviously, but I think I just wanted to start something new, just go experience a new town," said Travis. " Oklahoma State is where I wanted to go, I went there, but I always kind of had a special place here in my heart at Mizzou."

Even in Stillwater, he would keep tabs on the team. Despite being in a different city, he was still always rooting for the Tigers, and coming back to Columbia was always something that he looked forward to.

"It makes me appreciate the town more, and being closer to family and the people that supported you growing up."

After spending four years with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the redshirt senior entered the transfer portal, and announced his return home for one final season.

"It was kind of a no brainer to come back," said Travis. "Everything is comfortable, I didn't have to learn a new town or anything, I have a great support staff here. I've known coach Smith since I can remember, so we've always kind of had a personal relationship, and we've always been family friends."

"When he said he wanted to come back, we were ecstatic just to get him back," said Mizzou wrestling coach Brian Smith. "Having his family all go here, for us, it was that simple. That was an easy decision and I'm glad he made it because we've always wanted him here."

While Travis always had a place on the roster, he's not back just for the homecoming. He qualified for the national meet twice with the Cowboys, and has his eyes set on a third straight, but this time, in the black and gold.

"The goal for my last year is to be on that podium, and be high on it," said Travis. "Just enjoying my last year and enjoying the practices and the monotony of the everyday."

"What I really like is the maturity and the intensity he brings to the practice," said Coach smith. "The guys really noticed it right away, just that he is so dialed in, and wants to be good and just trains like a madman, and I love that."

Travis and the Tigers will continue their quest for the national championships, which takes place from Thursday, March 19 to Saturday, March 21.