November 21, 2004

Six Wrestlers Place in Omaha

Dlagnev Lone Loper Winner

            Kearney, Neb. – The 3^rd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team had six top six finishers at the Kaufman-Brand Open Saturday in Omaha.

            One of the largest collegiate wrestling events in the country, the tournament featured 700 wrestlers from 40 colleges representing 14 states.

            In the Open division, senior Bryce Abbey  (125 lbs.) and junior Jeff Sylvester (197 lbs.), ranked 2^nd and 1^st in the nation in their respective weight classes, finished fourth and fifth.

            In the 20 and under division, Texas sophomore Tervel Dlagnev led the way by winning the heavyweight division.

            Also, Lincoln redshirt freshman Jeff Rutledge (133 lbs.) was third, Mitchell sophomore Matt True (141 lbs.) placed fifth with Oklahoma sophomore Caleb Young (184 lbs.) coming in sixth.

             Several notable Lopers, including nationally-ranked seniors Adam Keiswetter (133 lbs.) and Aaron Dalton (165 lbs.), didn’t wrestle in the tournament.  

            Abbey went 4-2 on the day, twice falling to Oklahoma State wrestlers. In the quarterfinals, Derek Fleenor nipped him, 4-2, and then teammate Coleman Scott pinned Abbey at the 3:00 minute mark of the third place match.

            Sylvester won his first two matches before falling to Nebraska’s BJ Padden, 10-9, in the quarterfinals. Sylvester bounced back to win two matches in consoles before Sean Stender of Northern Iowa edged him, 3-2.

            Padden was a national qualifier last year while Stender is a two-time Division I All-American.

            Sylveter then placed fifth when Tim Boldt of Augustana (SD), ranked 8^th nationally, forfeited.

            In the 20 and under division, Dlagnev went 5-0 with three wins by fall and two by a combined 12 points.

            He beat Minnesota’s Justin Bronson, 12-7, to reach the heavyweight finals and then dominated Mankato State’s Ben Janike, 14-7, to claim the title.

            Rutledge ripped off three straight wins to reach the semifinals before he lost to Joe Morrison of Nebraska. He won two matches in the consoles, claiming third place after pinning Bacone’s Mike Miller at the 5:00 minute mark.

            True also reached the semifinals before suffering his first loss. It was a 3-1 sudden victory setback to Mike Zinnel of Iowa Central.

            True lost once more but beat George Roath of Dana, 3-1, for fifth place. 

            Young became the third Loper to reach the semifinals as he won his first three matches. There, he was edged by North Dakota State’s Jacob Bryce, 3-2.

            Young was then pinned twice to finish sixth in the class.

            Finally, Mitchell sophomore Pat True won five matches at 149 lbs. in the 20 and under division. 

            UNK hits the mats again December 4^th at the Bob Smith Open in Kansas.