No. 16 WVU Wrestling came out firing in their final home dual of the regular season at Hope Coliseum, racing to an early 9-0 lead with sharp performances from their lighter weights. The No. 20 Tigers answered strongly, though, taking the final stretch of bouts to pull away for a 26-13 victory and stay undefeated all-time against WVU. Read more: Mountaineers surge early but fall 26-13 to No. 20 Missouri in home finale
Fast start for the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers got off to a fast start in their final home match of the regular season. Graduate student Jett Strickenberger (125) earned his sixth win against a ranked opponent with a win by decision over Missouri’s Mack Mauger in his final match at Hope Coliseum.
Freshman Gunner Andrick followed Strickenberger with a victory of his own, defeating Gage Walker by a 4-2 score to extend the West Virginia lead. Andrick is now 6-2 against Big 12 wrestlers and has six ranked wins this season.
The Mountaineers continued to roll as redshirt senior Jordan Titus (141) defeated Easton Hilton by a 4-2 decision, extending the WVU lead to 9-0.
Missouri responds
Missouri answered with a victory from Seth Mendoza over redshirt freshman TJ Langley by technical fall (18-3) to give the Tigers their first points of the night.
Redshirt sophomore No. 7 Ty Watters (157) dominated No. 17 Teague Travis with a major decision victory, 8-0. Watters is now 7-0 against ranked opponents.
Tigers take control
Following the impressive victory from Watters, Missouri dominated, winning the remaining five bouts to stay undefeated against the Mountaineers (6-0 all-time).
- Shawn Taylor was forced to forfeit due to injury against J Conway.
- Brody Conley lost by fall 23 seconds into the first period against Cam Steed.
- Ian Bush came up short to Aeoden Sinclair by a 2-1 decision.
- Rune Lawrence lost to Evan Bates by a 7-4 decision.
- In the final match of the night, Brock Kehler fell to Jarrett Stoner by a 10-4 decision.
Season outlook
The loss against Missouri is just the second Big 12 loss for the Mountaineers this season. WVU is currently 9-4 overall (4-2 against Big 12 opponents) and 2-4 against ranked opponents.
Up next for the Mountaineers
WVU now turns its focus to the Iowa State Cyclones on February 13 in Ames, Iowa.
