West Virginia transfer Austin Myers bolsters Mizzou wrestling lineup

Missouri wrestling finished sixth in March at the NCAA Division I Championships at Madison Square Garden, the program’s sixth top-10 finish since 2006-07.

Still, there was a glaring hole in the Tigers’ lineup.

Mizzou qualified wrestlers at each of the 10 weight classes except heavyweight, but coach Brian Smith might have filled that hole moving forward.

The Tigers announced Tuesday that Austin Myers, a four-time Kentucky high school state champion and three-time National High School Coaches Association champ, would transfer from West Virginia.

Myers, who will be eligible immediately after he was granted his full release, has four remaining years of eligibility.

“Austin is a very talented young man,” Smith said in a statement from the athletic department. “He has a great work ethic and commitment to the sport of wrestling. I am looking forward to getting him up to Mizzou and training with the team.”

During a redshirt season with the Mountaineers last season, Myers went 21-8 with three pins and a major decision competing in five open tournaments, including a runner-up finish in November at the Clarion Open.

Freshman James Romero went 11-19 overall, including a 2-12 dual record and 2-5 Mid-American Conference dual record, last season as Missouri’s starting heavyweight.

He was replaced in the lineup by senior Cody Johnston, who also wrestled at 174 and 184 pounds, before the MAC Championships, which serve as an NCAA tourney qualifier.

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 6:35 PM with the headline "West Virginia transfer Austin Myers bolsters Mizzou wrestling lineup."