December 11, 2004

True Leads Wrestling in Home Meet

Charbonneau Upsets No. 1

            Kearney, Neb. –   The 3^rd-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team had 11 top five finishes, including three first place efforts, in its own Runza UNK Loper Open Saturday at the Health & Sports Center.

            A total of 13 teams competed in the non-team scoring meet, including five from Nebraska; Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska-Omaha, Chadron State, Dana College and York College.

            Mitchell sophomore Matt True was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament after going 4-0 to claim the title at 141 lbs.

            He upset 2^nd-ranked Eli Dominguez of UNO, 3-2, in the semifinals, and then upset 4^th-ranked R.C. LaHaye of Western State, 5-3, in the title match.

            A national qualifier a year ago, True moves to 17-4 on the year after the impressive showing.

            At 125 lbs., senior Bryce Abbey (Goodland, Kans.), ranked 2^nd in the nation, tallied two points in overtime to edge sophomore Trevor Charbonneau (Green, Kans.), 3-1.

            Charbonneau pulled off the upset of the day when he beat No. 1 ranked Dustin Tovar of UNO in the semifinals, 3-2. He tallied all three point in the second period on an escape and takedown. 

            There was no upsets at 197 lbs. as No. 1 ranked Jeff Sylvester (Lyman) went 3-0 to claim another tourney title. He beat Northern Colorado Reece Hopkin, 6-2, in the finals.

            Sophomore heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev, who came into the meet 14-1 and ranked 5^th-in the nation, gave No. 1 ranked, and two-time national champion, Les Sigman (UNO) everything he wanted and more in the finals.

            The match went into the third period scoreless before Sigman got three quick points and then got three near fall points to get out to a 6-0 lead. Dlagnev (Arlington, Texas) got as close as 8-4 but Sigman won the match by five points, 9-4.

            Also for the Lopers, North Platte senior Jered Jorgensen (HWT), Oklahoma sophomore Caleb Young (184 lbs.) and Lincoln redshirt freshman Jeff Rutledge (133 lbs.) finished third in their respective classes.

            Finally, former UNK standout Frank Kuchera won the 184 lbs. title by going 4-0 on the day with two falls. 

            UNK wrestles at Central Missouri State next Saturday.