Improvement is the name of the game in any sport and because, prior to last season, Missouri wrestling hadn’t had a losing since before cell phones took over the world, getting better this year topped the Tigers’ mandatory to-do list.

It’s been a process, but it’s happening. The Tigers are 9-7 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12, and a winning season is a strong likelihood. And while numbers don’t always paint an accurate picture, coach Brian Smith doesn’t need numbers to draw a conclusion.

“I see it every week. We're getting better, and that's the belief in the room,” said Smith, now in his 28th season at Mizzou. “When kids are giving you good energy and want to be at practice, that's a good thing. And we see that every day — the guys wanting to be there and asking questions. 

“That's a good sign they're into learning. And when you're into that, that means you're growing … you're going to get better.”

Smith said it took a 22-14 loss on Dec. 14 to Northern Iowa to create a seismic shift.

“Probably a turning point in our season was the match with Northern Iowa, where I thought it was one of our worst showings in a long time,” Smith said. “They (UNI) wrestled great, but we just looked awful. We had a heart-to-heart as a program, and trained differently and worked harder, and have just gotten after it. We're seeing that progress now from that point.”

The #14 Tigers have opened 2026 by winning the Soldier Salute and defeating Arizona State, Utah Valley and Northern Colorado while losing to #5 Oklahoma State.

“Even in the (33-3) loss to Oklahoma State, we took about 44 shots. We only finished one,” Smith said. “And that's just frustrating, but it's not from lack of effort. We weren't capitalizing. We had the leg a few times and almost a score. 

“I look at ‘49 and ‘57 and at ‘65 we had a takedown waved off. It's just one of those things that we were close, but close doesn't win you matches. But it gives you something as a coach to work with. The kids aren't getting blown out of the water. We just have to finish takedowns. But they (Oklahoma State) are a really good team.”

A Winning Trifecta

Steed, Sinclair and Bates sounds like a law firm, but Cam Steed at 174, Aeoden Sinclair at 184 and Evan Bates at 197 are stating their case as solid upperweights. 

Steed is ranked 10th, Sinclair third and Bates ninth and have combined for a 49-11 record thus far.

Steed, recently off the injury list, dropped a 2-1 decision to Oklahoma State’s Alex Facundo on two stalling points. “He’s (Steed) got great attacks but he let himself get slowed down in the match with a couple of pushouts and he’s given up stall calls,” Smith said. “It was frustrating for him and for the coaching staff because we know the ability he has, and we just have to get him going.”

Sinclair, a redshirt freshman, is 18-1 with 17 bonus-point wins and is a title contender at 184.

And Bates, the Northwestern transfer, has fit right in, according to Smith. 

“He’s such a bright kid and just easy to get along with and he wants to learn,” he said. “Coach (Dom) Bradley is working with him and turning his shoulders and changing ties and posts and shots and he’s having fun learning and learning to open people up and how to score. He's on the attack all the time.”

A Class of Redshirts

Smith is redshirting his nine-man freshman class, but the majority of them will have gotten in 20 to 30 bouts, the coach said.

“They’re all going to something. They went to the Cyclone Open, and now they're going to go to the Missouri Valley Open,” Smith explained. “So they're going to have a good season under their belts of knowing what it takes to compete and what they need to work on in the summer.”

One who got his five allowable dates in was Seth Mendoza, the four-time Illinois state champion who ran in and completed the Boston Marathon last April. Smith compared Mendoza’s season to Sinclair’s redshirt last year.

“There were moments where you're like, ‘Man, OK, he's ready to go,’” Smith said. “And then there's moments you're like, ‘He still needs to work on things, and we have to get him better in these positions.’”

Smith said Mendoza has all the tools. “He'll be ready to walk right in and be at the highest level next year,” he said.

Wins And Years Keep Piling Up

Missouri’s 42-0 shutout of Northern Colorado on Jan. 25 was Smith’s 350th career victory. The occasion sort of snuck up on him.

“I don't really look at those numbers,” he said. “My wife asked me that night. She said ‘Did you know? I didn't know that was today. How come you didn't tell me?’ I'm like, ‘I don't know that stuff. I’m not focused on how many wins I have; I couldn’t care less.’”

Smith, who is 350-137-4 heading into Friday’s match at Little Rock, said the numbers mean he’s been around a long time.

“I told my guys that in the 350 matches, I've never scored a takedown; it's because of you guys,” he explained. “But, yes, I've loved it and still enjoy it and love my time at Missouri. It's my 28th year. 

“Great people here in the Midwest and the city of Columbia and at the University. The leadership, from President (Mun Y.) Choi to Laird Veatch, my AD … just good people to work for. And then, of course, I enjoy my team. So it's it makes it fun.”