Huskers Advance to Semis At Virgina Duals

Hampton, Va. -- The University of Nebraska wrestling team advanced to the semifinals of the Virginia Duals with victories over Virginia, 31-10 and Rider, 31-3, Friday at the Hampton Coliseum. With the victories, NU improves to 11-1 on the season and advances to face No. 12 Arizona State, Saturday at 1 p.m.

In the opening round, the Huskers received strong performances from 133-pound redshirt freshman Matt Keller, 149-pounder Travis Shufelt and heavyweight Nathan McClain. Keller recorded an 20-4 technical fall over Ryan Stewart, while Shufelt recorded his ninth pin of the season, recording a fall over Aaron Martin at 2:48 mark in the first period. McClain recorded his second technical fall of the year over Andrew Leffler, 18-3. Redshirt freshman Chad Sportelli notched his first career dual victory with a 5-3 decision over Brian Sticca. NU also received opening round wins from B.J. Wright, Travis Pascoe and B.J. Padden.

In the quarterfinals, NU won nine of ten matches to defeat ECWA power, Rider, 31-3. Of NU’s nine wins, three went for bonus points. The Huskers were led by Shufelt and Pascoe’s 18th and 17th straight wins, respectively of the season. Shufelt scored a major decision over Labe Black, 17-6, while Pascoe defeated No. 19 Nick Catone, 12-7. After sitting out the opening round match, top-ranked Jason Powell defeated Bobby Stinson, 2-0.

"We wrestled well as a team today," Head Coach Mark Manning said. "We have some young guys learning on the fly, but they are getting better every time out. Guys like Keller, Pummel and McClain are really stepping up, while guys like Shufelt and Pascoe are leading by example, like they have been all season."

The Huskers return to action, tomorrow, when they face off against the Sun Devils at 1 p.m.

#8 Nebraska 31, Virginia 10
125 Chad Sportelli (NU) dec. Brian Sticca (UVA), 5-3 NU 3, UVA 0
133 #18 Matt Keller (NU) by technical fall over Ryan Stewart (UVA), 20-5 NU 8, UVA 0
141 #2 Scott Moore (UVA) dec. #12 Matt Murray (NU), 5-1 NU 8, UVA 3
149 #5 Travis Shufelt (NU) by fall over Aaron Martin (UVA), 2:48 NU 14, UVA 3
157 #17 B.J. Wright (NU) by major decision over Paul Bjorlo (UVA), 13-2 NU 18, UVA 3
165 #17 Tim Foley (UVA) by major decision over #15 Jacob Klein (NU), 11-0 NU 18, UVA 7
174 Mike Grogan (UVA) dec. over James Pummel (NU), 5-4 NU 18, UVA 10
184 #4 Travis Pascoe (NU) wins by forfeit NU 24, UVA 10
197 #8 B.J. Padden (NU) by decision over Scott Smith (UVA), 9-3 NU 27, UVA 10
HWT #13 Nathan McClain (NU) by technical fall over Andrew Leffler (UVA), 18-3 NU 31, UVA 10

#8 Nebraska 33, Rider 3
125 #1 Jason Powell (NU) dec. Bobby Stinson (RU), 2-0 NU 3, RU 0
133 #18 Matt Keller (NU) dec. #16 Don Fisch (RU), 12-7 NU 6, RU 0
141 #12 Matt Murray (NU) wins by forfeit NU 12, RU 0
149 #5 Travis Shufelt (NU) by major decision over Labe Black (RU), 17-6 NU 16, RU 0
157 #17 B.J. Wright (NU) dec. over Dave Miller (RU), 6-2 NU 19, RU 0
165 #15 Jacob Klein (NU) dec. over Ryan Cunningham (RU), 12-5 NU 22, RU 0
174 James Pummel (NU) dec. Chris Marold (RU), 11-4 NU 25, RU 0
184 #4 Travis Pascoe (NU) dec. #19 Nick Catone (RU),12-7 NU 28, RU 0
197 Jeff Black (RU) dec. Chad Espinoza (NU), 8-4 NU 28, RU 3
HWT #13 Nathan McClain (NU) by major decision over Carmelo Marrero (RU), 14-4 NU 31, NU 3