UNK Wrestling: #7 Lopers Finish 5th at National Duals

The seventh-ranked Nebraska Kearney wrestling team beat 12th-ranked Upper Iowa, 26-11, and 15th-ranked Mary (N.D.), 24-13, to place fifth at the 2024 NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Duals Saturday in Cedar Falls, Ia.

The Lopers (9-3) went 4-1 on the weekend with the setback coming in the quarterfinals to second-ranked Lander (S.C.). The Bearcats went on to finish fourth.

Redshirt sophomore 174-pounder Trenton Munoz (Santa Clarita, Calif.) had a breakout weekend to lead the Lopers. After upsetting top-ranked James Penfold of Lake Erie (Ohio) College on Friday, Munoz got past fifth-ranked Max Bruss of Mary today, 4-0, to cap a 4-0 weekend and to improve to 16-2 overall. He is coming off a medical redshirt after being the 2022 NAIA National Runner up while competing for Hastings.

Also against the UM Marauders, redshirt sophomore Tyler Collins (Wray, Colo.) had an 8-1 decision at 157 pounds, sixth-ranked Zach Ourada (Omaha Skutt) had a 11-3 major at 125 pounds with redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Daniel DeRosier (Bellevue East) recording a first-period fall.

To start the day vs. UIU, the Lopers rallied from an 18-12 hole to win by double digits. Munoz started the comeback with a fall at 6:01 with senior Billy Higgins (Omaha Skutt) and redshirt sophomore Jackson Kinsella (Creston, Ia.) following with overtime wins. Higgins bested 12th-ranked Colter Bye, 3-2, thanks to an escape and riding time with Kinsella picking up a penalty point to win, 2-1. Finally, second-ranked Crew Howard (Clarinda, Ia.) had a fall in just 1:11.

UNK also was at the Hastings Open on Saturday with eight Lopers placing in the top four.

Next Friday, the Newman Jets come to Buckle Court at 7 p.m.