Le'Roy Barnes takes a thumb to the eye

MU junior Le'Roy Barnes takes a thumb to the eye during his match against American University sophomore Tom Page on Feb. 15, 2015, at Hearnes Center. The Tigers defeated American University 34-3 and advanced to National Dual Finals.

COLUMBIA — Before his collegiate wrestling career started, Le’Roy Barnes decided to quit.

Tired of the preseason training in the 100-degree Kansas heat, the Missouri redshirt senior wrestler, then a freshman at Neosho Community College, walked in to coach Wayne Peterson’s office. He was fed up with the training, sick of running in the muggy humidity and completely over wrestling.

  • Will, a senior studying print and digital news, covers Missouri men's basketball for the Missourian. He also covered Missouri wrestling and high school sports, and he's worked for the Colorado Springs Gazette and Ad Age. Twitter: @willyfrederick