March 6, 2008
'08 NCAA Brackets, Final Rankings Released
Lopers Move Up to 3rd; Usman No # 1 at 174 lbs.
Kearney, Neb. – The brackets for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships were released last night.
The pairings are random and don't factor in national rankings. This year's event will be held March 14-15 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
First round matches pit a regional champ vs. a fourth place finisher from another region with regional runners up facing a third place finisher from another region. A top eight finish is good for All-American honors.
None of Nebraska-Kearney's nine qualifiers will face a nationally-ranked individual in the first round, However, there is some familiar matchups.
UNK and UNO will battle at 133 and 157 lbs. with the Lopers and defending national champion Central Oklahoma squaring off at 197 lbs. UNK and UNO could then meet in several second round matches as well.
Coming into the tournament, UNK and UNO are tied with the most qualifiers (nine) with four schools at eight and UCO at six.
At 133 lbs., senior Brett Allgood is the highest ranked wrestler -- third -- on his side of the bracket. In his three-year Loper career, he is 48-3 vs. Division II competition and is aiming for his second national title.
Senior Jeff Rutledge (141 lbs.) already beat his first round opponent, Cory Bloodgood of Central Missouri, at the Loper Open. He could face rival Sim Bribieseca of UNO in the second round and then top-ranked Kyle Evans of UCO in the semifinals.
At 149 lbs., sophomore Ryan Etherton could face defending national champ Todd Meneely of UNO in round two. In UNO's dual win over UNK earlier this year, Meenely edged Etherton, 3-2.
Senior Joe Ellenberger, ranked 2nd at 157 lbs., might face top-ranked Jason Rhoten of Minnesota State in the semifinals. Ellenberger first has to get by Henry Wahle of UNO, a wrestler he has beaten twice this year but by two close scores.
Two Lopers making their first NCAA trips, junior Keenan McCurdy and sophomore Marty Usman, have potential tough second round matches. McCurdy might faced 3rd-ranked Andy Pickar of Minnesota State with 5th-ranked Ty Tubbs (Minnesota State-Moorhead) possibly waiting for Usman.
By winning the RMAC title last weekend, Usman is now ranked No. 1 at 174 lbs.
At 184 lbs., Wahoo junior Paul Sutton makes his second NCAA trip and has two familiar opponents on his side of the bracket; Western State's Lars Lueders and UCO's Heath Jolley. Sutton is 1-1 against both this year.
In his first NCAA appearance, unranked sophomore Derek Ross could see 3rd-ranked Ty Copsey of Augustana in round two. Just two weeks ago, Copsey beat Ross in overtime, 3-1.
Finally, all-world heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev looks to become only the second Loper to win back-to-back national titles. He wouldn't face 2nd-ranked Brady Wilson of MSU until the finals.
Below are the first round matchups. Complete brackets are HERE and final regular national rankings HERE.
Rank/Name (Weight/Record)
# 3 Brett Allgood (133 lbs./3-1) vs. Mario Morgan, UNO
# 3 Jeff Rutledge (141 lbs./34-12) vs. Cory Bloodgood, Central Missouri
# 2 Joe Ellenberger (157 lbs./35-6) vs. Henry Wahle, UNO
# 7 Keenan McCurdy (165 lbs./27-12) vs. Blake Peterson, Truman State (Mo.)
# 1 Marty Usman (174 lbs./22-7) vs. Chris Gibbs, West Liberty State (W.V.)
# 7 Paul Sutton (184 lbs./27-13) vs. Ty Johnson, SW Minnesota State
Derek Ross (197 lbs./20-16) vs. Jarrett Edison, Central Oklahoma
# 1 Tervel Dlagnev (Hwt./34-0) vs. Nail McGrath, Gannon (Pa.)
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Contact:
Peter Yazvac
yazvacpa@unk.edu |