February 22, 2008

Wrestling Dominates Vikings, Marauders

Upset Win for Sutton

     Kearney, Neb. – The 5^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team finished the regular season in style by easily defeating the University of Mary, 46-6, and Augustana, 38-3, Friday afternoon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

      The Lopers finish with a 14-6 mark, making this the fourth straight year the team has won at least 14 duals in a season.

      Against the Mary Marauders of Bismarck, N.D., UNK racked up three tech falls and had two falls to win by 40 points. Mary also forfeited at 125 and 141 lbs.  In the win over the home standing Vikings, UNK had four wins by decisions, two major decisions and a fall.

      At 184 lbs., Wahoo junior Paul Sutton upset 8^th-ranked Beau Severtson of Augustana, 6-2. Sutton used a takedown to lead 2-0, then used a second period reversal to break a two all tie. In the third period, he escaped from Severtson and then tallied a point of riding time to win by four.

      Earlier in the dual, Lincoln senior Jeff Rutledge, ranked third-nationally at 141 lbs., recorded a third period escape to edge Jay Sherer, 3-2.

      In the Mary dual, junior Keenan McCurdy (165 lbs.) and sophomore Marty Usman (174 lbs.) had falls.

      UNK is at the RMAC Championships/West Regional next Saturday. The NCAA Championships are then two weeks later in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.