2017: Missouri Tigers’ 5 best performers of fall sports
By Josh McSwain
3. Daniel Lewis
In the 174 pound weight class, he has not suffered a loss all season. He is 22-0 and 14-0 in duels. The redshirt junior from Blue Springs, MO was an NCAA All-American last year in the 165 pound division, finished in sixth place, and has not missed a beat this year.
As a freshman, Lewis finished fourth nationally in that weight class and was named MAC Freshman of the Year. He is a two-time defending MAC champion in that weight class and looks to make it three straight MAC titles, this time, in a higher weight class. He hasn’t missed a beat going up in class and is ranked No. 4 among 174-pound competitors.
During the most recent match against No. 17 Central Michigan, Lewis won in a major decision over 15th-ranked CJ Brucki, 9-1, to win four points in a 29-6 win for the Tigers.
Lewis’ excellence helped Mizzou clinch the MAC regular season title and, so far, the Tigers are undefeated and ranked third in the nation.
In addition to Lewis, Grant Leeth is ranked fourth in the 149-pound class, John Erneste and Joey Lavallee are third, nationally, in the 133 and 157 weight classes, respectively, and Jaydin Eierman is second in the 141 class.
Overall, the wrestling team looks poised to compete for their first team national title. While there have been many outstanding performers, Lewis is the most outstanding for me with his undefeated record.