Jordan Kodner/Staff Photographer
Matt Manley knew he had to win big in his match against Oklahoma’s Trae Blackwell in order to pump up his team after a losing start to the dual.
Manley, a redshirt junior and Missouri wrestling’s 141-pound starter, scored a two-point nearfall, followed closely by a four-point nearfall, and finally, with the crowd and the coaching staff on their feet, pinned Blackwell with 20 seconds left in the first period to help Missouri tie up the score 6-6.
“I’m just always looking to score… and it was just me trying to find the right time to get my hips over and finish him off, but I knew I had him right where I wanted him,” Manley said.