Zach Elam Claims 285 Pound Title at Southern Scuffle

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The University of Missouri wrestling team finished third at the 2023 Southern Scuffle presented by Compound Sportswear Monday, Jan. 2. The Tigers totaled 125 points, behind Oklahoma State (181) and North Dakota State (144.5).

Day One

Missouri saw five wrestlers go undefeated during the first day of action, sealing their place in the semifinals. Making his return to action, sophomore Noah Surtin had a dominant day at 125 pounds, securing three bonus point victories including a fall. Redshirt senior Allan Hart was 4-0 with a pin, two major decisions and a technical fall. Senior Jarrett Jacques made his way through the 157 bracket with a fall and two decisions, while redshirt junior Peyton Mocco earned a technical fall and two decisions at 174 pounds. Additionally, redshirt junior Zach Elam joined the semifinals group with three bonus point victories of his own, one of which was a 22 second pin.

Day Two

Surtin secured his spot in the 125-found final with a 3-0 decision in his semifinals match. The sophomore earned a takedown in the finals seconds of the bout to seal the deal. Hart followed suit in the 141 semifinals match with a 6-0 decision to earn this spot in the finals. Mocco (9-3) and Elam (4-1) both claimed decisions of their own to advance to the final bout at 174 and 285, respectively.

In the finals, Surtin was defeated in a 4-3 decision and claimed second place at 125 pounds. Hart fought hard against the No. 1-ranked 141 pounder, Andrew Alirez from Northern Colorado, but ultimately lost an 8-4 decision to finish in second place. True freshman Cameron Steed battled through the consolation bracket after suffering a loss on day one to place fourth at 165 pounds. Mocco placed second at 174 pounds, dropping a 12-7 decision. Closing out the tournament, Elam concluded his undefeated scuffle run with a 5-0 decision.

UP NEXT

Mizzou returns home for a home dual against No. 13 Northern Iowa Sunday, Jan. 8. The action begins at 4:30 p.m. inside the Hearnes Center and can be streamed on FloWrestling.

Team Results

1. Oklahoma State – 181

2. North Dakota State – 144.5

3. Missouri – 125

4. Stanford – 105.5

5. Minnesota – 96

6. Northern Colorado – 68.5

7. Binghamton – 63.5

8. Maryland – 58.5

9. Purdue – 55.5

10. Little Rock – 54.5

11. Iowa State – 48

12. Rider – 47.5

13. Appalachian State – 46.5

14. Bucknell – 38

15. Virginia Tech – 35

16. Chattanooga – 30

17. CSU-Bakersfield – 24.5

18. Duke – 21.5

18. Virginia – 21.5

20. Hofstra – 17.5

21. Gardner Webb – 11

Tournament Records

125 | Noah Surtin 4-1

133 | Connor Brown 2-2

141| Allan Hart 5-1

149 | Nate Pulliam 2-2

157 | Jarrett Jacques 3-1 // Logan Gioffre 1-2

165 | Cameron Steed 5-2

174 | Peyton Mocco 4-1 // Ellis Pfleger 0-2

184 | Sean Harman 2-2 // Colton Hawks 2-2

197 | Jesse Cassatt 0-2

285 | Zach Elam 4-0 // Seth Nitzel 3-1