January 21, 2005

Wrestling to Face UNO in Semifinals

Lopers Survive Mercyhurst

            Kearney, Neb. –  The 4^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team went 2-0 on the first day of the the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cleveland and will face No. 1 ranked UNO tomorrow in the semifinals.

            UNK easily beat 13^th-ranked Wisconsin-Parkside this morning, 27-9, and then  got by 5th-ranked Mercyhurst (Pa.) this afternoon, 19-13.

            The Mavs also had a close call in the second round, getting by 8^th-ranked Mankato State, 18-15.

            Senior Bryce Abbey (Goodland, Kans.) tied the Loper record for wins in a career (121) with easy victories over Craig DeGreef. of UWP, 10-1, and 6^th-ranked Ricky Randazzo of MC, 6-0.

            Abbey, ranked 2^nd in the nation at 125 lbs., will go for the record vs. top-ranked Dustin Tovar of UNO. Tovar was upset by an unranked Nick Smith of Mankato, 10-6, this afternoon.

            Against Mercyhurst, UNK won despite a rare loss by top ranked Jeff Sylvester at 197 lbs. The Lyman junior, now 22-4 on the year, fell to 8^th-ranked Justin Mautz, 7-5

            It is his first loss to a Division II wrestler this year and only his fourth over the last two years.

            Sophomore Tervel Dlagnev (Arlington, Texas) secured the win over the Lakers with a 11-3 major decision victory at heavyweight.

            He is now a stellar 25-3 on the season. The record for wins in a season for UNK is 37.

            Also going 2-0 on the day was Kearney senior Adam Keiswetter (133 lbs.), Mitchell sophomore Matt True (141 lbs.) and Colorado redshirt freshman Lewis Hyatt (157 lbs).

            UNK loss to UNO last year, 26-15, but beat the Mavs, 24-14, two years ago in the National Dual finals. The dual will begin tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. CST.