January 31, 2004

Western Defeats Wrestling

Abbey Losses Showdown

            Kearney, NE – The 10^th-ranked Western State Mountaineers had three pins and a major decision victory to beat the 14^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team, 25-19, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            WSC improves to 5-3 on the year while the Lopers drop to 4-8.

            The much anticipated showdown between the top two wrestlers in the nation at 125 lbs., Western senior Jared Haberman and junior Bryce Abbey, kicked the night off. The match lived up to its billing.

            After a scoreless first period, Haberman got an escape to start period two. Not to be out done, Abbey began the third period with an escape. Both wrestlers took several good shots in regulation but the other managed to fight them off.

            In sudden death overtime, Haberman managed to breakthrough 22 seconds in as he got a takedown to win the match.

            A pin by seventh ranked Adam Keiswetter briefly put UNK ahead but Western had back-to-back pins at 141 and 149 lbs. to move ahead. The Mountaineers led the rest of the night as they scored 10 points with their final two wins. 

            UNK hosts Colorado School of Mines next Thursday.