Led by Zach Synon, Willie Miklus, No. 8 Missouri wrestling rallies past No. 3 Ohio State

No. 8 Missouri wrestling spotted No. 3 Ohio State a 10-point lead Saturday during a dual at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.

That only made the Tigers’ comeback against the reigning national champion Buckeyes sweeter.

Missouri won six of the final eight matches, including three in bouts that featured a pair of ranked wrestlers, and surged to a 26-17 victory.

It’s the Tigers’ 31st consecutive dual win, dating back to Jan. 31, 2014, at Oklahoma State.

Ohio State’s Nick Tavanello, who is ranked 18th nationally among heavyweights, started the proceedings with a fall against Missouri freshman James Romero.

Top-ranked Nathan Tomasello followed with a 10-1 major decision against Tigers sophomore Barlow McGhee, who is ranked No. 6 nationally at 125 pounds.

Junior Zach Synon, who is ranked No. 12 at 133, helped Missouri turn the tide in the evening’s third match, upsetting fourth-ranked Johnni DiJulius.

Synon’s pin in 5:59 got Missouri on the board.

Junior Matt Manley, who is ranked 13th at 141, also claimed an upset win, beating sixth-ranked Micah Jordan with a 4-3 decision.

Junior Lavion Mayes, who is No. 3 at 149, puts the Tigers in front with 12-3 major decision against Cody Burcher, but the lead was short-lived.

No. 14 Jake Ryan beat Missouri freshman Luke Fortuna by major decision at 157 and second-ranked Bo Jordan topped Missouri freshman Daniel Lewis, who is ranked No. 9 at 165, in a 6-4 decision that moved Ohio State back in front 17-13.

Fourth-ranked Blaise Butler’s 13-3 major decision against Dominic Prezzia knotted the dual up at 174 before sophomore Willie Miklus’ dominance effectively ended the Buckeyes’ hopes.

Miklus, who is ranked No. 6 at 184, claimed a 15-0 technical fall against No. 11 Kenny Courts and junior J’den Cox finished off Missouri’s win with a 13-2 major decision against Mark Martin.

Cox is ranked No. 2 at 197.

Missouri hosts No. 21 Ohio at 1 p.m. Sunday in a key Mid-American Conference clash at the Hearnes Center.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 11:54 PM with the headline "Led by Zach Synon, Willie Miklus, No. 8 Missouri wrestling rallies past No. 3 Ohio State."