Kearney, Neb. - The 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team began its season in earnest Saturday at the 37th Annual Wyoming Cowboy Open in Laramie.

The non-team scoring event, sponsored by the UniWyo Federal Credit Union, took place in the University of Wyoming's War Memorial Fieldhouse. Besides the host Cowboys, other schools in attendance included Air Force, Boise State, Utah Valley, Chadron State and Western State.

In the Amateur Division, UNK had 15 wrestlers compete. Redshirt freshman Christian Flavin (197 lbs/Sharpsburg, Ga.) placed 1st with sophomore Jordan Gienger (157 lbs./St. Francis, Kan.) coming in fourth.

In the Elite Division, sophomore T.J. Hepburn (149 lbs/East Hampton, Conn.) placed runner up with senior Marty Usman (Arlington, Texas) -- competing unattached -- rolling to the 174 lbs. title.

After a first round bye, Flavin breezed into the finals with a fall (3:52) and major decision (13-3). He would then edge Mark Jones of NW Wyoming, 9-7 in OT, for the title.

Gienger reached the semifinals on the strength of a major decision (14-2) and a 5-3 win over Tim Hollister of Air Force. After losing to the eventual champion, Abner Cook, Gienger beat teammate Riley Allen to reach the 3rd place match.

Hepburn, a transfer from Colby C.C., was the top-seed at 149 lbs. and his four wins included a tech fall (19-3) and pin (6:36). In the finals, he was edged by the 2nd seed,  Wyoming's Cole Dallaserra, 7-3.

Finally, after racking up 45 wins last year but no falls, Usman got his senior year off to a quick start with a pin (2:19) of CSU-Pueblo's Justin Grant in the 1st round. The Texan would go on to tech fall (18-3) Brad Darrington of D1 Utah Valley in the finals.

Other Loper Notes
Ben Hohensee (Jr., Hwt., Monett, Mo.) - went 3-2 in the Elite Division
Anthony Varnell (Jr., 141 lbs., Spokane, Wash.) - went 2-2 in the Elite Division

Jordan White (So., 125 lbs., Lincoln) - won 4-2 in the Amateur Division
Jarek Patterson (Fr-R, 133 lbs., Kearney) - went 2-2 in the Amateur Division with 2 majors
Matt Katusin (Fr., 133 lbs., Omaha) - went 3-2 in the Amateur Division, reaching the semifinals
Bruce Zurek (Fr-R, 141 lbs., Comstock) - went 3-2 in the Amateur Division, reaching the semifinals
Riley Allen (Fr., 157 lbs., Grand Island) - went 4-2 in t\he Amateur Division with 2 majors
Matt Duffy (Fr-R, 174 lbs., Kenesaw) - went 3-2 in the Amateur Division
 
Up Next
UNK competes in the Kaufman-Brand Open at UNO on Nov. 21st