OUTLOOK: Mark Ellis is one of four sophomores in Missouri's starting lineup and enters his second year as the lead grappler at heavyweight. "Last season was a real confidence builder for Mark," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "He put on 20 pounds over the off-season and is up to 245 pounds. He's exciting to watch compete. He wrestles at heavyweight but has the agility of a lower weight wrestler. The staff expects him to be among the best heavyweights in the nation this season." 2006-07: Missouri's first heavyweight in four years to qualify for the NCAA Championships, Ellis went 1-2 at the tournament earning an opening round win over A.J. Brooks of Clarion, 8-3. Ellis suffered his first loss at the hands of fourth-seeded and eventual third-place finisher Dustin Fox of Northwestern, 6-5. In his first year as a member of Missouri's starting lineup, Ellis finished his campaign with a 16-11 record that included four wins by fall and four by major decision. Ellis qualified for the NCAA Championships after taking third at the Big 12 tournament, March 3 in Columbia, Mo. After suffering a 4-0 shutout by then 16th-ranked Jared Rosholt of Oklahoma State in the opening round, Ellis rattled off two consecutive wins to take third in the tournament. Ellis' first win of the day came in the form of a 12-3 major decision over Cameron Browne of Nebraska. Opening his redshirt freshman campaign, Ellis took on Corey Morrison of Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio and won by fall in 3:22, helping the Tigers to a 29-9 win over the Buckeyes. Competing at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational tournament, Ellis finished in sixth. 2005-06: One of two Tigers to wrestle at heavyweight, Ellis used his redshirt and finished the season with a 22-9 record in tournament competition. Finishing first in the freshman/sophomore division of the fifth annual Missouri Open, Ellis was a perfect 5-0 on the day holding off John Wise (Illinois) 4-3 in the championship bout. In other tournament action, Ellis took third at the Lindenwood Open, Oct. 29, shutting out two of his opponents and outscoring the opposition, 47-20. In his final outing of the season, Ellis finished fourth at the Roger Denker Open, Jan. 21. Ellis went 3-2 dropping both losses by a single point. Five of Ellis' 22 wins were by shutout with eight of his victories tabbed for extra points.

HIGH SCHOOL: A two-sport standout at Raymore-Peculiar High School, Ellis helped the Panthers wrestling team to two second-place finishes at the Missouri State Championships. Wrestling at 215 pounds for Head Coach Paul Barbarick, Ellis earned the Missouri State title as a senior (2005). Competing at the Brut-Adidas Folkstyle Nationals as a junior (2004) and the National High School Coaches Association as a senior, Ellis earned recognition as a two-time All-American. On the gridiron, Ellis earned all-conference honors as a defensive lineman.

PERSONAL: The second of four children, Mark was born Sept. 2, 1986, to Mark and Colleen Ellis in Overland Park, Kan. Ellis has two sisters, Johnna (23) an assistant women's basketball coach at Henderson State University in Arkansas and Julia (19) and a brother, Dakota (13).