Matches have begun on Day 1 of the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on March 19, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Matches have begun on Day 1 of the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on March 19, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Nine Mizzou wrestlers are still alive after the first day of NCAA nationals at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.  However, only the three number one seeds have a chance for individual national titles.  Overall, the Tigers are in a tie for 5th place with 18 points.  Friday’s wrestlebacks will be the key for Mizzou’s national title hopes as head coach Brian Smith wants to see those six wrestlers build on the Tigers’ overall score.

Senior Alan Waters, redshirt senior Drake Houdashelt and sophomore J’den Cox all remain in hunt for an individual national championship.  Waters shut out Conor Youtsey (Michigan) to advance at 125 pounds, Houdashelt claimed an 8-0 major decision shutout over Brandon Nelson (Purdue) at 149 pounds, and Cox tallied a 6-2 decision against Jeff Koepke (Illinois) at 197 pounds.

Head coach Brian Smith after day one.


Thursday’s results

125 #1 Alan Waters Conor Youtsey (Michigan) W, 4-0 (D)
141 #3 Lavion Mayes #14 Dean Heil (Oklahoma St.) L, 3-1/SV1
149 #1 Drake Houdashelt Brandon Nelson (Purdue) W, 8-0 (MD)
165 Mikey England #6 Taylor Walsh (Indiana) L, 5-2
184 Willie Miklus #7 Nathanie Brown (Lehigh) L, 5-4
197 #1 J’den Cox Jeffrey Koepke (Illinois) W, 6-2 (D)
285 #11 Devin Mellon #6 Adam Coon (Michigan) L, 5-2

Consolation Bracket
133 Zach Synon Eric Montoya (Nebraska) L, 4-0
157 #9 Joey Lavallee Steven Hernandez (Boise State) W, 9-0 (MD)
174 #4 Johnny Eblen #13 Tanner Weatherman (Iowa State) W, 8-0 (MD)