October 14, 2004

Wrestling Third in the Nation

Four Lopers Individually Ranked

            Kearney, NE – With nearly its entire starting lineup back, it’s no surprise the Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team is ranked third in the preseason Top 20 poll, which was released today by the Division II Wrestling Coaches Association today.

            Defending national champion UNO returns six All-Americans and 64 points to be the overwhelming pick for No. 1. Augustana (S.D.) returns 33 points with the Lopers having 31 points back from last year’s NCAA meet.  

            UNK’s has three returning All-Americans, led by Lyman junior Jeff Sylvester. He was the 197 lbs. national champion last year, becoming just the fourth Loper to finish first at a national meet. 

            Sylvester is preseason No. 1pick  in his class with Kevin Lochner of Central Oklahoma ranked second. Sylvester went 2-1 vs. Lonchner last year, including a win over him in the national semifinals.

            Seniors Bryce Abbey (Goodland, Kans.) and Adam Keiswetter (Kearney) are both ranked second in their respective weight classes.

            At 125 lbs., Abbey is behind only Dustin Tovar of UNO. Abbey, who placed third at the NCAA’s last year and is a three-time All-American, went 2-1 vs. Tovar last year.

            Abbey posted a 37-5 record in 2003-04 and needs 22 more victories to become the Lopers all-time leader in the category, passing Ali Elias (121).

            Keiswetter, a two-time All-American, is only behind San Francisco State’s Donald Lockett at 133 lbs. Tying Sylvester for the team lead in pins with 15, Keiswetter went 23-6 last year.

            Fremont senior Aaron Dalton is the other Loper to be ranked, coming in fifth at 165 lbs. A two-time national qualifier, he went 13-15 in an injury shortened 2003-04 season.