Huskers Battle for Starting Spots at Wrestle-Offs

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<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? The 2007-08 Nebraska wrestling team made its public debut on Friday night as the Huskers held their annual wrestle-offs at the Devaney Center Track. Several Huskers made cases for starting positions while several grapplers made a tough decision for NU head coach Mark Manning.

 

The wrestle-offs, held to assist Manning in deciding the final starting lineup, saw several grapplers go undefeated on the night. Junior Chris Oliver qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year and looks to be on his way again as he asserted his abilities at 157 pounds Friday night. Oliver pinned Rob Plambeck in 35 seconds, pinned Frank Jonas in 2:25 and recorded an 11-3 major decision over Paul Sanders. Sophomore Stephen Dwyer also qualified last year and also won both his matches Friday night. Dwyer recorded a 12-0 major decision over Cody Foust and followed up with a 4-1 decision over Alex Ward at 165 pounds.

 

The talented group of Huskers at 141 pounds continued to prove the weight class is the deepest for NU this season. However, a starter did not make himself immediately clear Friday night. Junior Robert Sanders won two matches against Jered Hensley and Patrick Aleksanyan, but redshirt freshman Curtis Salazar beat him. Salazar made his own bid for the spot with a win over Sanders, but came up short against Aleksanyan.

 

The Huskers begin regular-season action with a dual against Wyoming on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. and will compete in the Cowboy Open the next day.

 

Wrestle-Off Results

174-Brandon Browne by major dec. over Andy Johnson, 14-5

141-Robert Sanders by major dec. over Jered Hensley, 12-1

157-Frank Jonas by dec. over Paul Sanders, 9-4

165-Stephen Dwyer by major dec. over Cody Foust, 12-0

133-Austin Baier by dec. over Brian Litch, 4-3

141-Curtis Salazar by dec. over Robert Sanders, 11-5

165-Stephen Dwyer by dec. over Alex Ward, 4-1

133-Austin Baier by fall over Peter Roto, 2:49

125-Paul Donahoe by tech. fall over Andrew Pokorny, 18-3; 7:00

141-Robert Sanders by dec. over Patrick Aleksanyan, 7-0

133-Kenny Jordan by fall over Austin Baier, 1:02

133-Brian Litch by dec. over Peter Roto, 10-5

157-Chris Oliver by fall over Rob Plambeck, :35

133-Kenny Jordan by fall over Peter Roto, 3:20

141-Patrick Aleksanyan by dec. over Curtis Salazar, 3-1

149-Jordan Burroughs by dec. over Chris Hacker, 4-3

197-Craig Brester by major dec. over Cameron Browne, 11-2

141-Jered Hensley by dec. over Patrick Aleksanyan, 14-11

157-Chris Oliver by major dec. over Paul Sanders, 11-3

133-Kenny Jordan by tech. fall over Brian Litch, 19-4; 7:00

157-Chris Oliver by fall over Frank Jonas, 2:25

165-Cody Foust by injury def. over Alex Ward

157-Rob Plambeck by dec. over Paul Sanders, 9-5