University of Missouri
Mat Town USA 2000 Invitational
Tigers Win Mat Town USA 2000
11/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 25, 2000
Lock Haven, Pa. -- The University of Missouri wrestling team came away with the title at Saturday's Mat Town USA 2000 Invitational, hosted by Lock Haven.
The Tigers edged Pittsburgh by one point, 139 to 138, to come away victorious in the 13-team tournament.
Justin Spates, who won the individual title at 125 pounds, was named the tournament's most outstanding wrestler. John Kopnisky won the 174-pound class. Spates and Kopnisky each went 4-0.
"This win is our first team win a long time," said MU head coach Brian Smith. "I'm almost at a loss for words. We talked all summer about how we wanted to come to this meet and prove ourselves here. And that's what happened."
Missouri competitors (final match, place): Justin Spates (125): def. Jason Silverstein, Purdue, 4-0 (championship)
J.P. Reese (141): def. Shane Hartzler, Ohio, 4-1 (third place)
Kenny Burleson (149): lost to Nate Wachter, Penn State, 8-4 (second place)
David Neff (157): lost to Jeremy Reitz, Penn State, 16-4 (eighth place)
Mark Vollmar (165): lost to Andrew Butville, Penn State, 10-4 (eighth place)
John Kopnisky (174): def. Jeff Rosuk, Old Dominion, 3-2 (championship)
Ry Stone (184): def. Josh Millard, Lock Haven, 6-4 (third place)
Dante Stone (197): def. Dan Bednar, Ohio, medical forfeit (third place)
Chad Hertzog (Hwt): lost to Pat Cummins, Penn State, 6-3 (sixth place)
Team Scores: Missouri 139, Pittsburgh 138, Lock Haven (Pa.) 125, Penn State 124, Purdue 121.5, Rider 88, Ohio 80.5, Virginia 51, Old Dominion 48, Slippery Rock (Pa.) 42.5, Columbia 13, Bucknell 11.5, Franklin & Marshall 11.
