UNK Wrestling: #5 Lopers Finish Third at National Duals

 The fifth-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team finished third at the 2025 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Multi-Division National Duals Saturday in Cedar Falls, Ia.

The third-seeded Lopers (7-4) reached Saturday morning's semifinals after wins over 21st-ranked Indianapolis and seventh-ranked Augustana on Friday. UNK fell to fourth-ranked and second-seeded Central Oklahoma, 22-14, before bouncing back in a big way to trounce sixth-ranked McKendree (Ill.), 40-6.

UCO (7-0), who faced top-ranked and top seeded St. Cloud State later Saturday in the finals, has now taken six of the last seven duals with UNK. They won five of the first six classes today before the Lopers took the final three. The two teams meet again Feb. 7 in Edmond. 

Fifth-ranked Studd Morris used a takedown with 19 seconds left to edge top-ranked Zach Ourada (Omaha Skutt) by a 5-4 count at 125-pounds. At 165 pounds, it appeared junior Trenton Munoz (Santa Clarita, Calif.) recorded a last second takedown to upset seventh-ranked Hunter Jump. However, the points were waved off after a video review (out of bounds) and Jump thus won by a 4-2 score.

Seventh-ranked Joseph Airola (Ward, Colo.) got the Lopers first win, a 7-3 decision at 141-pounds. He had late takedowns in the second and third periods. Next, senior Jacari Deal (Durham, N.C.) upset fifth-ranked Garret Wells, 5-1, thanks to a reversal and three-point near fall in the third period. On Friday, Deal beat third-ranked Cade Mueller of Augustana. Finally, third-ranked Jackson Kinsella (Creston, Ia.) had a takedown with 11 seconds remaining to win at 197 pounds, 4-1. 

The McKendree Panthers (4-3) were no match for the Lopers who recorded three falls, two majors and a tech fall. Deal won again, 15-7, with top-ranked Crew Howard (Clarinda, Ia.) managing a fall in just 1:41. In the lower weights, Ourada and junior Hector Serratos (Wichita) recorded back-to-back falls with Munoz using a takedown to win in overtime, 10-7. He tied the match in regulation thanks to riding time.

UNK heads to Des Moines on Thursday night to face NAIA power Grand View.