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Lincoln -- The 18th-ranked Nebraska wrestling team will look to end a three-match losing streak when it plays host to Big 12 conference rival and 17th-ranked Iowa State, this Friday, February 14, 2003 at the NU Coliseum. The match between the Huskers and Cyclones will begin at 7 p.m.
The match will be televised statewide on Nebraska ETV. Kevin Kugler and R.J. Nebe will announce the match.
Scouting the Opponent
The Cyclones are coming off an 24-11 loss to 11th-ranked Missouri on Feb. 8 in Columbia, Mo. Iowa State (5-9) enters the match with NU on a three-match losing streak.
Iowa State is lead by a pair of fourth-ranked wrestlers 133-pounder Zach Roberson 141 pounder Aaron Holker.
Roberson a junior from Overland Park, Kan. enters the match against NU with a 17-3 record. The defending 2002 national champion at 141 pounds, Holker brings an 18-3 record to the match.
Two other Cyclones represent the Cyclones in the rankings. Seventh-ranked Nick Passolano enters with a 15-7 record at 174 pounds and tenth-ranked Austen Palmer has a 16-10 record at the 184-pound weight class.
Iowa State is coached by Bobby Douglas who is in his 11th year at the helm of the Cyclone program. He owns a record of 157-61-3 at Iowa State and a 381-153-9 overall record in 30 years.
The Series -- vs. Iowa State
The Cyclones hold a 70-11-2 edge over NU all-time and have won three straight matches in the series. NU's last win came in 1998-99 when they defeated Iowa State in Lincoln, 19-18. Last season ISU defeated NU 24-15 in Ames.
Ruiz Earns Big 12 Wrestler-of-the-Week Honors
Sophomore Justin Ruiz became the second NU wrestler this season to earn Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, capturing the award for the week of Feb. 3-9, the league office in Dallas announced Monday.
Ruiz recorded a pair of conference victories against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State last Friday and Saturday.
Against Oklahoma State, the third-ranked Ruiz defeated No. 2 Muhammed Lawal, 5-3. Ruiz scored a takedown with 32 seconds left and held on to earn the riding time point to secure the win. Against Oklahoma, Ruiz won via fall over Derrick Brown in 3:25 for his second pin of the season.
"Justin had a good weekend and is very deserving of this honor," Head Coach Mark Manning said. I was impressed with his mental ability to keep focus in a tough match."
Husker sophomore Travis Shuflet was the first Husker to earn this honor this season after his performance at the 2003 Virginia Duals on Jan. 10-11.
Jason Powell Cracks Top-Ten
On Feb. 8, junior Jason Powell recorded his a 4-2 over 10th-ranked Skyler Holman, 4-2 for his 17th dual victory of the year. The 17th victory puts him in a tie for ninth-place all-time in season dual victories.
With a winning percentage of .782, Powell is just off the career top-10 for winning percentage. His career record is 72-20, including 24-4 this season.
Assistant Coach Shawn Charles to Coach Against Former Team
NU assistant Shawn Charles will be coaching against the school where he brgan his collegiate coaching career. Charles was an assistant at Iowa State under Bobby Douglas from 1993-95. During the time Charles was with ISU he help lead them to 24-11 record and a top-ten finish at the National Championships in 1994.
NU Assistant Coach Shawn Charles Named to U.S. World Cup Staff
University of Nebraska wrestling assistant Shawn Charles has been named as assistant coach of the U.S. National team that will compete in the 2003 World Cup of Freestyle at Bank of America Center in Boise, Idaho, April 5-6.
Charles will be an assistant under wrestling legend Dan Gable of Iowa City. Boise State's head coach Greg Randell will round out the coaching staff for the U.S. team.
Manning to Coach U.S. National Freestyle Team
Head Coach Mark Manning will take control of the U.S. National Freestyle Team this Thursday, Feb., 13 in an exhibition dual against the Belarus national team at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
NU assistant Charles Burton will compete in the event which is part of a series of friendly international exhibition.
Huskers Battling Injuries in 2003
The NU wrestling team has had its fair share of injuries this season. Six NU wrestlers have missed some action this season while recovering from different injuries.
Justin Ruiz was out for two months while recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained at the Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 6. 133-pounder Joey Malia missed duals against Cal Poly, Fresno State and Wyoming while recovering from a knee injury.
Sophomore Matt Murray is out after suffering a jaw injury during practice. Redshirt freshman James Pummel has been out since Dec. 26 while recovering from injuries sustained during a car accident. Fellow redshirt freshman and 184-pounder B.J. Padden missed duals against UNK and Findlay while recovering from the same accident that injured Pummel. NU recently lost freshman Kyle Gubbels (197) for the remainder of the season. Gubbels injured his thumb against Wyoming on. Jan. 31.
Last Time Out (at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State)
The University of Nebraska dropped its weekend duals against ninth-ranked Oklahoma, 20-15 on Feb. 7 in Norman and against top-ranked Oklahoma, 34-6 on Feb. 8 in Stillwater.
Against the Sooners, Oklahoma jumped out to an early 10-0 lead as it took first three matches of the night. Travis Shufelt defeated Danny Rubenstein, 10-7 at 141 pounds to put NU on the board. Jacob Klein came from behind to decision Wes Roberts at 165 pounds. Klein trailed 3-0 before scoring seven straight points to score the win.
Justin Ruiz recorded his second pin of the season over Derrick Brown in 3:25, while sophomore heavyweight Mitch Manstedt won his 20th match of the season over Jake Hager, 7-2, but the Sooners held on for the five-point victory.
Against the Cowboys, junior Jason Powell won his sixth match of the season against ranked opponents with decision over Skyler Holman, 4-2. Ruiz defeated second-ranked Muhammed Lawal, 5-3. Ruiz scored a takedown with 32 seconds remaining and held on to earn the riding time point and the victory. However Ruiz & Powell were the only victories Huskers as ISU won, 34-6.
Huskers Get First Win over Top-Five Opponent Since 98-99
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