Baumgartner follows his heart to Missouri

Cole Baumgartner of Jefferson City High School (seated, center) signed a wrestling scholarship with the University of Missouri on Monday at Fleming Fieldhouse. Also seated are his parents,  Kim and Danny Baumgartner. Standing (from left) are Jefferson City assistant athletic director Lou Mazzocco and Jays head wrestling coach Phil Cagle.
Cole Baumgartner of Jefferson City High School (seated, center) signed a wrestling scholarship with the University of Missouri on Monday at Fleming Fieldhouse. Also seated are his parents, Kim and Danny Baumgartner. Standing (from left) are Jefferson City assistant athletic director Lou Mazzocco and Jays head wrestling coach Phil Cagle.

Cole Baumgartner had some options on where he could wrestle in college. When it came down to it, he chose the one closest to his heart.

Baumgartner took the next step in his wrestling career as he signed a letter of intent Monday to wrestle at the University of Missouri.

"I looked at a few other schools, but Mizzou was always my No. 1," Baumgartner said.

Baumgartner was also looked at by Duke and Maryville University in St. Louis. But when push came to shove, he decided to stay close to home and wrestle just 30 miles to the north.

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