Loper Wrestling Splits A National Duals On Friday

The seventh-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team went 2-1 on the first day of the 2024 NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Duals Friday in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The Lopers (7-3) beat 25th-ranked Glenville State of West Virginia, 33-9, but dropped several close matches to fall to second-ranked Lander of South Carolina, 20-13, in the quarters. A long day ended with a 26-11 win over fifth-ranked Lake Erie College of Ohio in the consolation second round.

On Saturday at 9 a.m., UNK will face 12th-ranked Upper Iowa at 9 a.m. and, with a win, will reach the third-place match. The other side of the bracket has 10th-ranked McKendree (Ill.) facing 15th-ranked Mary (N.D.).

Against the GSU Pioneers, seventh-ranked Nick James (Kearney) got by Sean Johnson, 6-5, at 141-pounds thanks to an early reversal and takedown with 18 seconds left. Johnson tallied four points in the closing seconds to almost comeback. UNK closed with five straight wins including falls by redshirt sophomores Tyler Collins (Wray, Colo.) and Trenton Munoz (Santa Clarita, Calif.) at 165 and 174 pounds. Munoz was down 3-0 early but a reversal led to a fall at 1:54 with Collins up 5-0 at the time of his second fall of the year. Finally, two-time All-American Billy Higgins (Omaha Skutt) made a triumphant 2023-24 debut with a 19-3 tech fall at 184-pounds.

The Lander Bearcats, ranked number one for most of the year, had a pair of 4-1 overtime victories (133 and 157 pounds) as well as 4-1 and 6-4 decisions at 197 and 285 pounds. James did get past ninth-ranked Isham Peace, 4-1, thanks to takedown with 51 seconds remaining while Higgins had an early takedown to win, 4-2.

Against the Lake Erie Storm, Munoz led the way and finished 3-0 on the day thanks to an upset of top-ranked James Penfold. Munoz recorded two takedowns, an escape, riding time and penalty point to beat the two-time All-American, 9-4. James also went 3-0 as he scored four points in the final 35 seconds to rally past 10th-ranked Corey Gamet, 5-4. Finally, Collins had another bonus point win with senior Jacobi Deal (Clayton, N.C.) bumping up to 184 pounds and recording a 20-5 tech fall. He currently is ranked ninth at 174-pounds.