UNK Hosts Newman Next Friday
Kearney, Neb. – The 2nd-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team finished eighth at the 2023 NWCA Multi-Division National Duals Saturday in Louisville, Ky. The banged-up Lopers (5-3) came into the weekend minus two starters due to season-ending injuries and then saw nationally-ranked Hayden Prince (197 lbs.) medically forfeit in a second-round loss to Mary on Friday afternoon. Today, UNK lost to ninth-ranked Upper Iowa, 21-14, and 12th-ranked Indianapolis, 20-19. Against the Peacocks, UNK got a 10-2 major decision from Kansas redshirt freshman Bishop Murray but then UIU reeled off five straight wins. That included a 3-2 decision at 157 pounds and 10-8 win at 165 pounds as eighth-ranked Chase Luensman slipped past Missouri redshirt freshman Kaden Hart thanks to an escape and takedown in the final minute. The Lopers did win three of the last four matches as second-ranked Austin Eldredge (McPherson, Kan.) had an 11-0 major at 174 lbs., top-ranked heavyweight Lee Herrington (Kearney) won 7-3 and top-ranked Billy Higgins (Omaha Skutt) used a first period takedown to hold of Cameron Lopez, 3-2. Iowa redshirt freshman Crew Howard helped UNK tie UIndy, 19-19, thanks to a 6-3 win. However, the Greyhounds won the match and placed seventh thanks to having the dual's only fall. Eldredge and Higgins had two more dominant wins with second-ranked Nick James (Kearney) bouncing back from a loss at 141 pounds to win 6-5 over Ray Rioux. His tally came via three escapes, a takedown and riding time. Finally, Colorado redshirt freshman Beau Hostler had two escapes at 149 pounds but was edged by redshirt sophomore Nathan Conley, 3-2. The rest of the Lopers were at the Hastings Open today with eight cracking the top four. Bellevue redshirt freshman Daniel DeRosier (141 lbs.) and Iowa redshirt freshman Jackson Kinsella (197 lbs.) each placed first with Kansas redshirt freshman Hector Serratos and Omaha true freshman Zach Ourada both reaching the 133 pounds finals and both taking a forfeit. UNK hosts the Newman Jets next Friday in the H&S Center to begin MIAA action.
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