The No. 7 Missouri wrestling squad is off to a stellar start for the 2011 season. Aided by eight wrestlers ranked individually inside the Top 25, the Tigers are on pace to boast a few national champions this year.
Last season, Max Askren, brother of ex-Missouri great Ben Askren, was the only national champion crowned from MU. But this season there have been a few wrestlers making a name for themselves in the fight for a championship. Among them are senior Todd Schavrien, junior Dom Bradley and freshman Alan Waters.
The top newcomer, Waters has been creating some buzz around the Big 12. The 125-pounder started his collegiate career a perfect 25-0 before dropping to Stanford’s Ryan Mango. Waters came back strong after his first loss, winning his next four matches at the Midlands Invitational including a 3-2 decision over his lone defeater, Mango.
“Honestly, it took a lot of the pressure off,” Waters said.
Waters does not like to lose, and he doesn’t do it very often. In high school, he won a total of 184 matches and only losing four. He didn’t lose a single match in his senior season.
“I have to avenge my loss to be the best,” he said. “I want it all.”
Waters’ next and only other loss to date came against Oklahoma State redshirt freshman Jon Morrison.
“I’m excited for Big 12 matches to start,” Waters said. “I want to get back in there and avenge my loss to (Morrison).”
With such a long undefeated streak, many worried about Water’s complacency. Waters said he wasn’t worried about it because he had dealt with such a streak before. He wanted to find a way to dominate his opponents.
“I wasn’t content with just winning matches,” he said. “I trained to get more points and get my win without a decision.”
Waters said he chose Missouri because it had always been a dream of his to wrestle as a Tiger. Notably, the coaching staff’s experience and tradition of breeding national champions drew him to Columbia.
Waters, the only freshman not to be redshirted this season, hopes to earn a business degree in his four years at Missouri.
When coach Brian Smith was asked if any wrestlers stood out to him, Waters’ name came up almost immediately alongside such others as Dom Bradley, Todd Schavrien and Zach Toal.
“All 10 weights are doing really well,” Smith said. “You’ve got young guys like Alan who are a great asset to the team.”
Todd Schavrien, one of three seniors on the Missouri squad, and the only one to start, says he has a lot of confidence in such a young team.
“Its fun to be able to go out and help these younger guys,” Schavrien said. “Especially guys that have so much talent.”
Waters is arguably Missouri’s best true freshman ever. He currently stands ranked No. 8 in the country at 125 pounds and holds a 34-2 record and is presently on pace for a national title.
The Tigers will open the conference season with a dual meet against visiting Nebraska on Jan. 30 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.
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