Columbia, Mo. -Wrestling in the 2005 Show-Me State Games July 23 in the Hearnes Center, five Missouri athletes walked away with a finish in the top three, and four Tigers grappled their way to the top of the podium by winning their brackets. Matt Pell (Luxemburg, Wi.), Josh Wagner (Milton, Wi.), Michael Chandler (High Ridge, Mo.), and Ryan Joyce (Brandon, Fla.) all earned championship honors, and James Williamson (Blue Springs, Mo.) placed third.
Wisconsin natives Pell and Wagner each earned their second straight Show-Me titles. Competing in the 178-187-pound division, Pell, a junior, defeated Charlie Gibbs of Salisbury, Mo., in the final bout, adding another honor to his resume after earning All-America accolades at the 2005 NCAA Championships at 184 pounds. Wagner, a sophomore, also picked up his second title at the Games by overcoming Steven Ferguson of Independence, Mo., winning the 152-157-pound division.
Redshirt freshmen Chandler and Joyce each finished first at 158-165 and 148-150 pounds, respectively. Joyce defeated Mike Eirman in the final bout to pick up his first Show-Me State Games title. Teammate Williamson (Blue Ridge, Mo.) finished third in the 166-168-pound division rounding out the day for the Tigers.
Head Coach Brian Smith served as the wrestling commissioner for the Show-Me State Games for the sixth-straight year and is responsible for organizing volunteers and referees for the all-day event.
“It’s good experience for the guys to help out and give back to their sport by volunteering, setting up the mats, and refereeing, “Smith said, “and it gives some of the younger grapplers a chance to see Tiger wrestlers up close, refereeing their matches.”
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