HUSKERS OPEN SEASON WITH 37-6 WIN AT LOCK HAVEN

Hershey, Pa.--Three Pennsylvania natives -- Bryan Snyder and twins Joe and Josh Henson -- each returned to their native state and posted wins in their first collegiate starts to aid the No. 20 Nebraska wrestling team to a 37-6 victory over the University of Lock Haven on the road Friday evening in a season-opening match-up.

Nebraska recorded four pins and won matches at all but two weight classes, including the first four matches, to move to 1-0 on the season. Lock Haven, who finished last season ranked 15th in the final NWCA/Amateur Wrestling News Top 25 but is unranked this season, dropped to 1-3.

NU's Jose DeAnda opened the meet with a 11-5 decision over Scott Bair at 141 pounds to give the Huskers a 3-0 lead.

Nebraska's trio of Pennsylvania freshmen took over from that point. Joe Henson, a native of Hanover, Pa., started the trend at 149 pounds, pinning Frank Piff at :53. Snyder, originally from Easton, Pa., followed with a 19-9 major decision over the Bald Eagles' Brian Olenek at 157 pounds. Josh Henson completed the sweep with a 6-1 decision over Ben Stehura to give Nebraska a 16-0 lead.

"Joe, Josh and Bryan handled the pressure of performing in front of their home crowd extremely well," Head Coach Tim Neumann said following the meet. "All three wrestled with confidence and aggressiveness. It had to feel good for them to win in front of their families and friends. We are certainly happy for them and proud of the way they performed."

Following four consecutive Husker wins, Lock Haven's Dave Surovec edged Charles McTorry, 10-6, to get the Bald Eagles on the board at 174 pounds.

Defending Big 12 Champion Brad Vering got the Huskers back in the win column at 184 pounds. Vering pinned Josh Millard at 2:19. Senior Scott Munson followed with a 10-7 decision over Ken Haines, and 1998 conference runner-up J.R. Plienis won by fall over Dan Collawn at heavyweight to give the Huskers a padded 31-3 lead.

Paul Gomez recorded the Huskers' eighth and final win of the evening by pinning Chris Spealler at 2:57. 1997 All-American Terry Showalter handed Nebraska its second loss of the night by earning a 4-1 decision over sophomore Todd Beckerman at 133 pounds to make the final, 37-6.

"Overall, we did a great job for the first meet of the season," Neumann said. "We've really tried to stress having more of a killer instinct, so we were definitely pleased with four pins. Our goal was to win all 10 matches, but we still have some things to get worked out. After tonight's performance, we feel confident we can beat Penn State tomorrow."

The Huskers will face pre-season No. 4 Penn State Saturday evening at the Bryce Jordan Center, site of the 1999 NCAA Championships, at 6 p.m. in State College, Pa.

No. 20 NEBRASKA 37, LOCK HAVEN 6

125 Paul Gomez (1-0), NU pinned Chris Spealler, LH 2:57
133 Terry Showalter, LH dec. Todd Beckerman, NU 4-1
141 Jose DeAnda (1-0), NU dec. Scott Bair, LH 11-5
149 Joe Henson (1-0), NU pinned Frank Piff, LH 19-9
157 Bryan Snyder (1-0), NU maj. dec. Brian Olenek, LH 19-9
165 Josh Henson (1-0), NU dec. Ben Stehura, LH 6-1
174 Dave Surovec, LH dec. Charles McTorry, NU 10-6
184 Brad Vering (1-0), NU pinned Josh Millard, LH 2:19
197 Scott Munson (1-0), NU dec. Ken Haines, LH 10-7
Hwt J.R. Plienis (1-0), NU pinned Dan Collawn, LH :48
Attendance: 1,658