COLUMBIA - The Missouri wrestling team ran its dual-match winning streak to 25 by rolling to a 34-3 win against American on Sunday at the Hearnes Center.
The win, which makes Missouri 21-0 this season, came as part of the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals Finals. The Tigers and seven other regional winners advance to the Finals, which will be held Saturday and Sunday at the University of Iowa. The eight winners will be reseeded according to this week's USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.
The Tigers got five bonus-points victories, with J'den Cox stealing the show with a pin at 197 pounds, moving him to 27-0 on the season. Cox's eighth pinfall win of the season also pushed his NCAA-leading winning streak to 47 straight.
The Tigers opened up strong against the Eagles, as they took home wins in four of the first five matches. Alan Waters (125) improved to 24-0 this season with a 5-0 decision. Zach Synon (135) and Lavion Mayes (141) followed that with decisions, winning 2-1 and 3-1, respectively.
After Le'Roy Barnes (149) cruised to an 11-4 win, Joey Lavallee (157) suffered Missouri's only loss in a 3-2 decision.
Mikey England (165) then turned in the team's first bonus-points victory of the day with a 14-3 major decision. It was the first of three straight major decisions, as Johnny Eblen (174) won 12-2 and Willie Miklus (184) won 13-5.
After Cox got his pin in 5:11, Devin Mellon (hwt.) notched a 13-1 major decision victory.