January 17, 2004

Rutledge Leads Wrestling in Omaha

Six Lopers Place

Kearney, NE — Lincoln redshirt freshman Jeff Rutledge led the Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team Saturday at the Brand Open in Omaha by being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

            Rutledge, who won the 133 lbs. title with a 4-0 record, was one of six Lopers to place in the top four.

            The majority of Lopers that competed in the tournament aren’t regularly in the team’s dual lineup.

            Placing third were North Platte senior Jered Jorgensen (Hwt.), Idaho junior Zac Rice (174 lbs.) and Omaha redshirt freshman Joe Ellenberger (149 lbs.).

            Lincoln true freshman Keenan McCurdy was fourth at 165 lbs. while Texas true freshman Zach Tramel was fourth at heavyweight.

            Rutledge, bouncing back from a minor knee injury, had three close wins en route to the title. He edged Tony Valdez of Iowa C.C., 9-7, in round two and then upset top-seeded Mitch Waite of UNO, 12-10, in the semifinals. 

            In the championship round, Rutledge beat Jimmy Rollins of Dana, 3-2.

            At 149 lbs., Ellenberger went 5-1 and had three of his wins by fall. His only setback on the day was to UNO’s Seth Unger, the eventual winner.

            The graduate of Millard West got a 11-3 major decision win over UNL’s Robert Sanders in the third place bout.

            At heavyweight, Jorgensen went 3-1 on the day and pinned Tramel at 1:40 to place third. Tramel, from Arlington, went 3-2 with two of his wins coming by pin.

            Rice, who has wrestled at 184 lbs. in some duals this year, went 4-1 at 174 lbs. to place third. He defeated Larry Wilbanks of Western state, 7-5, to win the third place bout.

            Finally, McCurdy (Lincoln East) went 4-2 in the tournament. He won four straight matches to reach the third place bout where he was nipped by UNO’s Mark Ludlow, 5-4.

            The Lopers varsity team heads to the National Duals this weekend in Cleveland.