February 20, 2008

Wrestling Wins at Fort Hays State

Lopers Win Seven Times; Big Comeback for Ellenberger

     Kearney, Neb. – The 4^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team won five consecutive matches to roll to a 27-12 win over Fort Hays State Tuesday night in Kansas.

      The Lopers improve to 12-6 (6-2 RMAC) while the unranked Tigers fall to 6-6 (4-4 RMAC).

      The dual started at 125 lbs. where junior Michael Abril (Glendale, Ariz.) won an 11-7 decision over Kyle Patton. After UNK forfeited at 133 lbs., James Annon upset third-ranked Jeff Rutledge (Lincoln East) at 141 lbs., 8-5.

      Annon., who scored four points in the final 15 seconds, came in with an 18-7 record with Rutledge (29-12) seeing a seven match win streak snapped.

      UNK quickly bounced back to win the next five weight classes and take a 21-9 lead. The victories included a 3-1 overtime decision by third-ranked Marty Usman (Arlington, Texas) at 174 lbs. and a 13-11 decision by second-ranked Joe Ellenberger (Millard South) at 157 lbs.

      Ellenberger trailed 9-1 after the second period but came all the way back, scoring three back points and a point of riding time in the closing seconds.

      Tyler Gonzales ended the Lopers' streak with a 3-1 decision at 197 lbs. over Derek Ross (St. Francis, Kans.). Heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev (Arlington, Texas) then wrapped up the night with a fall at 4:35. Moving to 29-0, Dlagnev has pinned his last three opponents after having eight falls in his first 26 wins.

      UNK completes the duals season this Friday with matches against Mary (N.D.) and Augustana in Sioux Falls, S.D. Pictured below are Ellenberger-Usman-Dlagnev.

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