November 23, 2003

Trio Leads Wrestling in Omaha

Abbey, Sylvester and Charbonneau Pace Lopers

            Kearney, NE – The 10th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team was led by returning All-Americans Bryce Abbey (125 lbs.) and Jeff Sylvester (197 lbs.), along with freshman Trevor Charbonneau (125 lbs.), at the prestigious Ryan Kaufman-Glen Brand Open Saturday in Omaha.

             Over 500 wrestlers from 31 different schools competed in the one day event that featured two separate divisions; 20 & Under and Open.

            In the open division, Abbey, who is ranked 3rd nationally at 125 lbs., placed third with a 4-1 record. He beat Luke Magnani, 8-5, to claim third place. Abbey’s only loss came in the semifinals where he fell to the eventual winner, Luke Eustice of Iowa, 4-2 in overtime.

            Also in the open division, nationally-ranked junior Adam Keiswetter (133 lbs.) advanced to the semifinals before falling to last year’s national champion in his class, Cole Province of Central Oklahoma, 8-4. Keiswetter finished the day with three pins. 

            In the 20 & Under division, Charbonneau had to work hard for a third place finish. After falling in the second round, the Kansas native reeled off six straight wins to reach the third place match, where he beat UNL’s Chad Sportelli, 7-3. 

            Sylvester, ranked 6th nationally at 197 lbs., was dominant in reaching the final in his class. He won his first four bouts by fall, including three in under 1:20. In the finals, the Lyman native narrowly lost to top seeded Matt Koz of Minnesota, 4-3. 

            Also placing for UNK was Texas true freshman Tervel Dlagnev (184 lbs.). He bounced back from an opening round one point loss to win five straight matches.  Dlagnev eventually finished sixth. 

            While they didn’t place, true freshman Brandon Brill (133 lbs.), Jeff Rutledge (133 lbs.) and Caleb Young (174 lbs.) each won four matches in the 20 & Under division.

            UNK is at the FHSU Open in Kansas on December 6th.