Keegan O’Toole earns 100th career win for Missouri wrestling vs. No. 13 Iowa State
Saturday afternoon got off to as rough a start as it could’ve for Mizzou wrestling, as the Tigers faced a 15-0 hole against No. 13 Iowa State. Dropping four consecutive matches to start the dual, MU needed a spark.
Redshirt sophomore James Conway proved to be the catalyst, as he upset No. 11 Cody Chittum in the 159-pound weight class by a 9-3 decision to cut the Tigers’ deficit 15-3. Despite ultimately losing the dual, Mizzou made things competitive as it clawed its way up to just a 21-18 loss against the Cyclones (12-5, 6-2 Big 12) at the Hearnes Center.
It had been a rough stretch for the Tigers (5-10, 4-4) heading into Saturday. A near three-week break following consecutive Big 12 losses in Oklahoma — with the team’s most recent defeat being a 36-3 rout against third-ranked Oklahoma State — didn’t seem to do the team any favors early in its weekend bout.
However, it has been a season full of overcoming adversity for this Columbia squad.
Mizzou hasn’t cared about numbers all season. The Tigers have dealt with injuries, including Noah Surtin’s medical retirement announcement on Dec. 13, early deficits, losing streaks and tough travel throughout the season. Yet the second half of Saturday’s action showed a team that hadn’t let things get away from it.
Conway’s momentum-shifting win right before halftime was just one of multiple impressive victories the Tigers claimed during their resurgence against Iowa State.
Redshirt sophomore Cam Steed (165) earned a win by fall right after the break that further elated the Mizzou crowd, as he defeated Cyclones redshirt sophomore Aiden Riggins in 1 minute, 20 seconds.
With each passing match, Mizzou found something to celebrate and found ways to involve the crowd. Senior Keegan O’Toole (175), a two-time NCAA champion, evened the score at 15-15 in dramatic fashion after netting his 100th career win.
O’Toole had been sidelined for more than a month due to injury, but the two-time All-American returned to the mat with an intense focus as he took down Iowa senior Cade Schmidt by fall in 6:14.
The Tigers couldn’t stay flawless down the stretch, as they dropped their next two matches to fall behind 21-15, but an 8-3 win by decision for redshirt junior Seth Nitzel (285) over freshman Daniel Herrera helped Mizzou close the dual on a high note.
The Tigers next take the mat in the Big 12 Championship starting at 8 a.m. March 8 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The consolation semifinal and finals matches will be held March 9.
Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published February 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Keegan O’Toole earns 100th career win for Missouri wrestling vs. No. 13 Iowa State."