Huskers Come Home for First Time in 2006-07

No. 15/18 <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska (2-0)

vs. South DakotaState (0-0)<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

NU Coliseum ? Lincoln, Neb.
Saturday, Dec. 9 ? 5 p.m.

Series History:
South DakotaState leads, 13-11-2

Last Meeting: Nebraska won, 38-6, on Jan. 7, 1999 in Lincoln, Neb.

 

No. 15/18 Nebraska (2-0)

 

vs. Northern Colorado (0-1)

NU Coliseum ? Lincoln, Neb.
Saturday, Dec. 9 ? 7 p.m.

Series: Nebraska leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Nebraska won, 38-11, on Feb. 7, 1981 in Greeley, Colo.

 

Huskers Come Home for First Time in 2006-07

After a month on the road, the 18th-ranked Nebraska wrestling team comes home for the first time in the 2006-07 season for a pair of duals on Saturday, Dec. 9.  The Huskers take on South DakotaState at 5 p.m., then Northern Colorado at 7 p.m.  Both teams have recently risen from Division II to compete at the Division I level, with both schools becoming eligible for the D-I NCAA Championships for the first time this season.

 

Last Time Out: Nebraska-4th place, 94 team points, Las Vegas Invitational

Paul Donahoe earned the 125-pound championship and Dominick Moyer advanced to the final round and earned a runner-up finish to lead the Husker wrestling team to fourth-place finish with 94 points at the Las Vegas Invitational in Primm, Nev.Missouri won the meet with 157 points.

 

Donahoe and Moyer were two of three Husker grapplers in contention for individual titles Saturday, as Jon May was the only one in the trio not to reach the finals.  May finished fourth at heavyweight, while Mike Rowe took seventh at 133 pounds, rounding out the list of four Huskers who earned top-eight finishes. 

 

At 125 pounds, the second-seeded Donahoe reached the finals after defeating Matt Eveleth of Penn in the semifinals by a 4-3 decision early Saturday. Donahoe won the championship with a 2-0 decision to Angel Escobedo of Indiana. Donahoe had cruised through the field in Friday’s matches, defeating Nick Ramirez of Wyoming by technical fall, 21-4, before beating Mike Rodriguez of Cornell by major decision to advance to the quarterfinals, 11-3.  Donahoe pinned Mark Moos of Michigan with 21 seconds remaining in the match to advance to the semifinals.

 

At 141 pounds, No. 5 seed Moyer pinned Chris Bencivenga of North Carolina-Greensboro with 1:40 remaining to claim his spot in the finals, before being defeated by Derek Moore of California-Davis, 11-0 in the final round. He won his first match of the meet by major decision over Heinrich Barnes of North Idaho, 10-2, and then earned another major decision victory, defeating Nick Walpole of Indiana, 8-0.  After earning a spot in the quarterfinals with a 9-3 win over Kyle Rushell of Wisconsin, Moyer won his fourth match on Friday with a 9-6 victory over 16th-ranked Charles Griffin of Hofstra. 

 

In the heavyweight division, May’s bid to reach the finals was stopped by Bode Ogunwole of Harvard, 8-3. May won his opening round match over Andrew Skinner of WesternState by fall with one second to go in the first period.  In the second round, May pinned Benjamin Reiter of Penn 2:30 into their match.  After that, May defeated Omar Maktabi of Michigan to move into the quarterfinals, 8-3.  May punched his ticket to the semifinals with an 11-3 major decision victory over Wade Sauer of Cal State Fullerton.

 

In the consolation bracket at 133 pounds, Mike Rowe fought back to earn seventh place with a 2-0 decision over Matt DeLorenzo of Columbia. Rowe fell to the consolation bracket when he was defeated by second-ranked Matt Valenti of Penn, 9-6, on Friday.

 

At 165 pounds, Marc Harwood was ousted from the competition after two straight losses when he dropped a 4-0 decision to Christopher Vondruska and then was pinned by Zachary Lee of WesternState at 4:20. Harwood earned back earned back-to-back, first-period pins Friday.

 

Levi Wofford won a pair of matches at 184 pounds before falling to No. 2 seed Mike Pucillo of OhioState by major decision.  Wofford was eliminated from the Las Vegas Invitational with a 7-4 loss to Chance Litton of West Virginia.

 

At 149 pounds, Robert Sanders won an 8-6 overtime match over Tyler Parker of Stanford at 149 pounds, but went on to lose in the round of 32 by a 12-4 major decision to top-seeded Tyler Turner of Wisconsin.  In the consolation bracket, Sanders defeated Jason McGee of KentState but lost by major decision to Brandon Doyle of Cal State Bakersfield.  Sanders ended the tournament with a 2-2 record. 

 

At 197 pounds, Craig Brester finished 1-2.  After Brester won his first round match by major decision over Cody Mumma of WesternState, he lost to Dallas Herbst of Wisconsin by fall.  Brester saw his run at the tournament end with a 3-1 loss to Jason Trulson of ArizonaState.

Casey Roberts finished the Las Vegas Invitational 0-2 at 174 pounds, losing by fall to top-ranked Ben Askren of Missouri in the first round before losing to Danny Burk of Northern Illinois in the consolation bracket. 

 

Scouting South DakotaState

South Dakota State comes to Lincoln for the first time in seven years.  The Jackrabbits are in their first year as a full-fledged Division I program and are a member of the Western Wrestling Conference.  SDSU is yet to wrestle in a dual, wrestling in four open tournaments to start the season.  At the UNI Open on Dec. 9, 184-pound wrestler Tyler Sorenson finished second as the lone Jackrabbit wrestler to place at the tournament, though seven wrestlers finished with at least a 2-2 record. 

 

Last Matchup: Nebraska 38, South DakotaState 6, Jan. 7, 1999 in Lincoln, Neb.

The Nebraska wrestling team won its sixth dual of the season against Division II powerhouse South DakotaState. The Huskers won all matches that weren’t forfeited to defeat the Jackrabbits, 38-6, and move to 6-2 for the season. South DakotaState, ranked fifth in Division II, dropped to 6-3 with the loss.

 

Husker freshman Josh Henson started the meet with a 16-6 major decision over Ryan Yoder in the 165-pound matchup to give Nebraska a 4-0 lead. Omaha native Zach Dominguez, who made his first career start as a Husker, followed with a second consecutive major decision, besting SDSU’s Aaron Althoff, 14-6.

 

At 184 pounds, eighth-ranked Brad Vering won by forfeit. Nebraska’s lead was pushed to 17-0 after 15th-ranked Scott Munson earned his 11th win of the season with a 7-0 decision over B.J. Jones in the 197-pound contest.  In a tight heavyweight competition, ninth-ranked J.R. Plienis escaped with a narrow 3-2 win over the Jackrabbits’ Bob Fullhart. With a forfeit at 125 pounds, South DakotaState’s Chad Wickman picked up a victory and put SDSU on the board, as the Huskers led 20-6.

 

After the forfeit, Nebraska won four straight matches to close out the meet. Husker Todd Beckerman earned a technical fall over Kris Dozark at the 3:47 mark in the 133-pound match. Beckerman’s takedown with 13 seconds remaining in the second period pushed the score to 21-6.  Senior Jose DeAnda continued to dominate and stayed perfect for the season with a major decision over Paul Konechne, Division II’s second-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds. In the 149-pound matchup, 14th-ranked Joe Henson delivered with a 6-2 decision over Aaron Veskrna to build NU’s lead to 32-6 entering the final match.  Bryan Snyder earned a win over Toby Bryant in the meet’s final match -- the 157-pound contest. Snyder won by injury default at the 4:12 mark. At the time of the default, Snyder was already well on his way to his 10th win of the season with a 12-3 lead. Snyder’s win secured a 38-6 victory for Nebraska.

 

Scouting Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado also is in its first year as a full-fledged Division I program and member of the Western Wrestling Conference.  The Bears are coming off a 45-0 loss against third-ranked Minnesota in their first dual of the season on Dec.

 

UNC has also participated in three open tournaments this season, including the Cowboy Open, where the field included Nebraska.  Heavyweight Reece Hopkin is ranked 17th and is the only Northern Colorado wrestler to be ranked in any of the three polls.  He lost by fall to top-ranked Cole Konrad of Minnesota in their matchup to close the dual on Dec. 1.

 

Last Matchup: Nebraska 33, Northern Colorado 11, Feb. 7, 1981 in Greeley, Colo.

In the only all-time matchup between the two schools, Nebraska defeated Northern Colorado 33-11 on Feb. 7, 1981 in Greeley, Colo.  The Huskers finished a three-dual roadtrip with a win against the Bears, and were in the midst of a season-ending eight-dual winning streak to close a 16-4 season, the best dual winning percentage in a season in school history to that point.  Nebraska was led by freshmen Bill and Jim Scherr. 

 

Three Accomplished Student-Athletes Join NU Wrestling

Nebraska head wrestling coach Mark Manning announced the signing of three student-athletes during the early signing period that will join the Huskers for the 2007-08 academic year. 

 

The three signees, Andy Pokorny of Bennington, Neb., Tucker Lane of Nucla, Colo., and Chris Hacker of El Reno, Okla., represent Nebraska’s continued success in wrestling both on and off the mat.

 

“We are extremely pleased with all three joining our team,” Manning said.  “These young men are the type of people we need in this program.  All three have excelled in wrestling not only at the state level, but also at the national level.  These are outstanding young men that will represent Nebraska in a first-class manner.”

 

Pokorny is a two-time state champion, winning last year’s class C crown at 112 pounds after winning in 2005 at 103.  A 2006 Junior Freestyle All-American, Pokorny is the fourth-ranked 112-pound wrestler in the nation by Wrestling USA and is the 52nd ranked high school wrestler overall by Intermat.  His accomplishments are not limited to the mat, however, as he is currently second in his class with at 3.935 GPA and a 30 on his ACT.

 

“Andy is arguably the best high school wrestler in the state,” Manning said.  “He’s one of the top lightweights in the country and one of the top students in the state.  His work ethic, dedication and character are all tremendous.  He’s the type of young man we want on this team.”

 

Lane also comes to Nebraska with glittering athletic and academic credentials.  A two-time state champion, Lane is the nation’s second-ranked 215-pound wrestler by Wrestling USA and is the 40th ranked high school wrestler overall, according to Intermat, which has recognized him as a four-star recruit.  Lane also was a Junior Freestyle All-American in 2006.  Like Pokorny, Lane is also accomplished in the classroom.  He earned a 31 on his ACT and entered his senior year at NuclaHigh School with a 4.25 GPA, tops in his graduating class.

 

“Tucker is an outstanding student-athlete that will help our program on the mat and off it,” Manning said.  “He’s one of the top student-athletes that Nebraska will recruit this year.  He’s a young man with tremendous maturity, work ethic and desire to be the best.”

 

A four-time Cadet All-American and two-time Junior All-American, Hacker also joins the Huskers with an impressive resume at both the state and national levels.  Hacker captured the Class 4A championships at 152 pounds last year, and is the No. 6 152-pounder according to Wrestling USA and is the 53rd-best high school wrestler in the nation, according to Intermat.  Hacker also received recruiting attention from Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Missouri, among others.

 

“Chris is a very accomplished wrestler, both in Oklahoma and on the national stage.  He’s one of the top middleweights in the country, and he wrestles year-round.  He epitomizes the tough, hard-nosed competitors that we like on our team.  We are very fortunate that Chris has chosen us over the other schools that were recruiting him.”

 

Tough Road To Detroit Awaits Nebraska

The Nebraska wrestling program has always dealt with a difficult schedule in the Big 12 Conference.  But few years have seen one conference so thoroughly dominate the rankings.  In both major polls, four of the top nine teams in the nation are from the Big 12.  In fact, according to the WIN Magazine rankings, four of the top five teams in the nation are in the Big 12, and top-ranked Minnesota also appears on Nebraska’s schedule.  Nebraska will take the challenge of the Big 12 Conference head on when it faces five of the top nine teams in a 22-day stretch from Jan. 20 to Feb. 11.  The Huskers, one of only three teams in the nation to see five of the preseason top six in the nation on their schedule, will start the difficult stretch with a home dual against IowaState and close it with a home dual against top-ranked Minnesota in Lincoln. 

Experienced but Young Huskers Set to Tackle the 2006-07 Season    

Nebraska is in a unique position entering the 2006-07 season.  The Huskers return eight starters and seven NCAA qualifiers from last year’s team, which ranks among the highest total in those two categories in Mark Manning’s seven years as the Huskers’ head coach.  However, the two seniors on Nebraska’s roster match the fewest that Manning has had at NU.   

Both experience and youth have proven valuable for Manning as Nebraska’s coach.  When the Huskers had only two seniors in 2001-02, they rebounded from an 8-9 regular season to take eighth at the NCAA Championships, the program’s 14th top-10 finish.  The two times that Nebraska returned eight starters (2004 and 2005), the Huskers won 19 duals and, in 2004, took fifth at nationals.

Three Pairs of Brothers Lead Huskers

Most wrestling teams see themselves as families, but the 2006-07 Nebraska squad takes it to an entirely different level with three sets of brothers.  Among the 17 true freshmen on Nebraska’s roster, three are the younger brothers of returning Huskers.  Dominick Moyer, Robert Sanders and Brandon Browne were joined by their younger brothers Derek, Paul and Cameron, respectively.

 

Dominick Moyer, a returning starter and NCAA qualifier at 141 pounds, is joined on the NU wrestling squad by his brother, Derek, who was a three-time state champion at OskaloosaHigh School in Iowa.  Robert Sanders, who also started last season and qualified for nationals at 149 pounds, reunites with his brother Paul at NU.  With their father, Bob, as their head coach, both Robert and Paul won at least two individual state championships at San JuanHigh School in Blanding, Utah.  Brandon Browne, a frontrunner for starting time at 174 pounds, will be joined this season by his brother, Cameron.  Brandon was a two-time state champion at PlattsmouthHigh School, while Cameron earned one state title during his time at PHS.

 

Since 1990, six pairs of brothers have lettered for NU, including the Buxtons (Jason, 1991-92; John 1990-93), the Coltvets (Jeff, 1985-86, 1988-89; Rick, 1992-93), the DeAndas (Tony, 1995-96; Jose, 1996-99), the Hensons (Joe, 1999-2000; Josh, 1999-2000), the Malias (Joe, 2000-04; Ty, 2001) and the Verings (Brad, 1998-2001; Russ, 1994).  Among those wrestlers are three that attained All-America status, including three-time All-American and 2000 national champion Brad Vering.  Jose DeAnda and John Buxton also earned All-America honors during their Husker careers. 

 

In NU wrestling history, the most decorated pair of brothers are the Scherrs.  Bill and Jim Scherr each won a national championship in 1984, Jim at 177 pounds, and Bill at 190.  Jim earned a pair of All-America honors during his career, while Bill was a three-time All-American.  Both Bill and Jim are members of Nebraska’s 100-win club.

Non-Varsity Notes

Nebraska’s non-varsity wrestlers wrap up first-semester competition with the UNK Loper Open in Kearney, Neb., on Saturday, Dec. 9.  Last year, three Huskers earned individual championships, including Craig Brester at 174 pounds. 

 

Last weekend, Matt Vacanti earned a third-place finish at 125 pounds to lead the Huskers’ effort at the UNI Open. 

 

In the first weekend of the season, Vacanti was the lone Husker to place at the Harold Nichols Open.  Vacanti took third with a 5-3 win over Robert Struthers of Wartburg at 125 pounds.  Austin Baier advanced to the semifinals at 141 pounds before he was defeated by Joey Slaton of Iowa.  Meanwhile, a pair of true freshmen earned gold medals at the Cowboy Open in Laramie, Wyo.  Salazar was 4-0 in a championship run in the amateur division at 149 pounds, while Dwyer was 4-0 en route to the 165-pound amateur championship.

 

At the Kaufman-Brand Open on Nov. 18, the Huskers were led by Vacanti, who dominated the field on his way to the championship in the 125-pound amateur bracket.  He won his first three matches in the tournament by fall in a total of 7:12.  Vacanti defeated Terrance Young of Iowa Central by decision, 3-1, before knocking off OklahomaState’s Ben Ashmore, 3-2, in the finals.  In addition to Vacanti’s title, a pair of Nebraska wrestlers earned third-place finishes in their respective amateur brackets, including Curtis Salazar at 149 pounds and Stephen Dwyer at 165 pounds.  Jordan Burroughs took fourth at 149 pounds, while Casey Gubbels and Cameron Browne finished in fifth place at 141 and 197, respectively.  Alex Ward finished sixth at 165 pounds. 

 

After the holiday break, the Huskers’ non-varsity wrestlers will compete in a pair of in-state opens, starting with the Dana College Open on Jan. 6 in Blair, followed by the Glen Brand Open in Omaha on Jan. 20.

 

Next up: Nebraska vs. Wyoming and Nebraska-Kearney, Saturday, Dec. 16, Noon

For the second straight weekend, Nebraska will wrestle at home as it takes on Wyoming and Nebraska-Kearney in the 2006 Nebraska Duals on Saturday, Dec. 16, starting at Noon at the NU Coliseum in Lincoln.  The Cowboys will enter the Nebraska Duals well rested, as they will be off this week after finishing 34th at the Las Vegas Invitational.  Wyoming lost its season-opening dual to Oregon, 19-17.  Meanwhile, the Lopers will host the Loper Open this weekend at which Nebraska’s non-varsity wrestlers will compete.  UNK is yet to compete in a dual this season.  The Lopers have competed in four open tournaments, including the Cowboy Open, the Kaufman-Brand Open and the Las Vegas Invitational.