Huskers Hit the Road Against No. 4 Wisconsin, UNI

#16 Nebraska (9-2) vs. #4 Wisconsin (8-1-1)
UW Field House • Madison, Wisc. (10,300) • Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 • 7 p.m.
Series History: UW leads, 4-7-2
Last Meeting: NU won, 26-17, on Nov. 15, 2009, in Lincoln, Neb.
Television: Big Ten Network
Live Stats:nwcaonline.com

#16 Nebraska (9-2) vs.  Northern Iowa (7-7)
West Gym (2,052) • Cedar Falls, Iowa • Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 • 1 p.m.
Series History: UNI leads, 14-27-1
Last Meeting: NU won, 26-20, on Feb. 2, 2001, in Cedar Falls, Iowa

   With three victories under their belt at the Lone Star Duals last weekend, the No. 16 Nebraska Wrestling team returns to action this weekend with a pair of duals, including one matchup against a top five opponent. The Huskers will kick the weekend off against the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers on Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. in Madison, Wisconsin, before battling the Northern Iowa Panthers on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m., in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
   The Huskers' dual against the Badgers will be a preview of the future for the Huskers as they transition into the Big Ten following this season. The dual be available on the Big Ten Network, which will broadcast over 40 Big Ten wrestling duals this season. You can find the Big Ten Network on Time Warner Cable channel 238 and 1238 in Lincoln, Dish Network channel 439 and DirecTV channel 610.
   Nebraska is coming off an impressive performance at the Lone Star Duals on Jan. 15, where they recorded a 3-0 mark on the day to improve their season record to 9-2. The Huskers began the day by defeating the Utah Valley Wolverines, 22-12, in the early match, before rallying to beat Stanford, 19-17, and defeating Brown, 37-3, in the last dual of the day. NU was led by No. 1 Jordan Burroughs (165), No. 10 Tucker Lane (HWT) and No. 12 Josh Ihnen (184), who all went 3-0 on the weekend. The Huskers also got solid performances from Ridge Kiley (133) and Mike Koehnlein (141) as both wrestlers produced two victories over the three matches. Kileys' weekend included an upset of No. 18 Justin Paulsen (Stanford) in the sudden-victory period, while Koehnlein collected a decision and a major-decision victory over CJ Howard (Brown), 18-5.
   Wisconsin enters the match with an 8-1-1 overall record after tying No. 15 Illinois, 19-19, on Sunday. The Badgers have six nationally-ranked wrestlers at their respective weight classes, but have dealt with injury over the past couple duals. No. 2 Andrew Howe (165) was injured in the Badgers' last dual against Illinois, while No. 7 Cole Schmitt (7) did not wrestle against the Illini. Other ranked wrestlers for Wisconsin include No. 3 Tyler Graff (133), No. 4 Travis Rutt (184), No. 2 Trevor Brandvold (197) and No. 19 Eric Bugenhager (HWT).
   Northern Iowa sports a 7-5 record, with losses to Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Oklahoma State on their schedule. The Panthers were able to get a victory over Ohio State at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. UNI has two nationally ranked wrestlers in No. 14 Ryan Loder (184) and No. 16 Christian Brantley (HWT).

Last Time Out: Huskers Go 3-0 at Lone Star Duals
   The No. 16 Nebraska wrestling team won all three duals they participated in on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the Lone Star duals in Grand Prairie, Texas. The Huskers, who defeated Utah Valley earlier in the first session of the day, defeated Stanford and Brown in the afternoon to improve their season record to 9-2.
   In the first dual, Utah Valley jumped out to 12-0 lead in the dual as the Wolverines took the first four matches by decision. Getting his first start since the South Dakota State match on Nov. 27, Shawn Nagel (125) fell to No. 14 Ben Kjar (UVU) in the dual's opening match, and was followed by Ridge Kiley (133) who was defeated by No. 14 Flint Ray (UVU) in a tight 2-0 decision. The last two victories for UVU came from Justin Morrill (UVU) who defeated Mike Koehnlein (NU) at 141-pounds, and Josh Wilson (UVU) who took down Ross Grande (NU) at 149-pounds.
   Nebraska got its first team points from Tyler Koehn (NU) after he defeated Richard Winger (UVU) by decision, 3-0, at 157-pounds. Koehn got his first dual start since Dec. 4 when the Huskers took on Wyoming, while improving his season record to 8-7.  Koehn was followed by senior Jordan Burroughs (NU) who took down Jeb Clark (UVU) by major decision to pull the Huskers within five points of the Wolverines at 12-7.
   The Huskers pulled within two points of the Wolverines when Caleb Kolb (NU) used a takedown with eight seconds remaining in the third period to defeat Brad Darrington (UVU) at 174-pounds, 4-2. Nebraska took the lead in the dual when No. 11 Josh Ihnen (NU) defeated Casen Eldredge (UVU) by decision to give NU a 13-12 lead.
   In the last two matches, Andy Johnson (NU) and Tucker Lane (NU) were dominant as they extended the Huskers lead to 22-12. Johnson won his sixth dual match of the season by defeating Trevor Rupp (UVU), 7-2, while Lane collected his fourth pin of the season over Christian Denny (UVU) in 2:38.
   In their match against Stanford, the Huskers used a technical fall victory from No. 11 Tucker Lane (NU) to rally back and defeat the Cardinal by a 19-17 count. Entering the 184-pound match trailing by three team points, the Huskers' Josh Ihnen (184) tied the dual with his 2-1 victory over Spence Patrick (Stan.).  NU couldn't pull ahead in the next match as senior Andy Johnson (NU) fell to No. 10 Zack Giesen (Stan.) by a 10-4 decision to give the Cardinal a three-point lead.
   With the Huskers needing a bonus-point victory to win the dual, Lane came through for the Huskers by defeating Alen Yen (Stan.), 18-2, in the heavyweight bout. The dual-clinching victory gave Lane his first technical fall of the season.
   In their last dual of the night, the Huskers jumped on the Brown Bears right out of the gate by winning the first three matches. David Klingsheim (125), Kiley (133) and Koehnlein (141) gave the Huskers a 10-0 lead, before Brown's Giuseppi Lanzi defeated Ross Grande to put the Bears on the scoreboard.
   After Grande's defeat, the Huskers won the last six matches of the dual, with four of those being bonus point victories. Burroughs pinned Dave Foxen (BU) for his sixth pin of the season, while Cody Compton (NU) defeated Pat Labuz (BU) at the 157-pound match for his first victory of the day. The Huskers also got major decision victories from Kolb, Ihnen and Lane to round out the action. Burroughs, Lane and Ihnen all went 3-0 on the day for Nebraska.

A Closer Look at the Wisconsin Badgers
   After a tough match against No. 15 Illinois which resulted in a 19-19 tie, the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers will enter Friday's dual with an 8-1-1 overall record. Wisconsin owns some impressive wins this season including victories over American, Virginia Tech and Minnesota. The Badgers also collected two 2nd-place finishes at the Cliff Keen Invite and the Midlands Championships earlier this season.
   UW has a deep and talented lineup, but has been hurt by injuries suffered over the course of the season. The Badgers are led by returning national champion Andrew Howe (165), who is currently the 2nd-ranked wrestler at 165-pounds behind NU's Jordan Burroughs. Also rated at No. 2 in the country in his respective weight class is Trevor Brandvold (197). The senior has a 4-0 record so far this season. At 184-pounds, No. 4 Travis Rutt will take the mat for Wisconsin. Rutt has a 19-1 overall record this season and was the champion at 184-pounds at the Midlands Championships earlier this season, defeating Nebraska's Josh Ihnen in the finals. Tyler Graff (133) is UW's other top five wrestler checking in at No. 3. Graff has a 17-1 overall record this season, and has yet to drop a dual match.
   Wisconsin is coached by Barry Davis who is in his 17th season as head coach of the Badgers.

Wisconsin Ranked Wrestlers
133-Tyler Graff (3)
149-Cole Schmitt (7)
165-Andrew Howe (2)
184-Travis Rutt (4)
197-Trevor Brandvold (2)
HWT-Eric Bugenhagen (19)

Husker History vs. Wisconsin
   The Huskers and Badgers have met 13 times in the school's histories with Wisconsin holding an edge in the all-time record, 7-4-2. Last season, the Huskers opened up their season against the Badgers with a 26-17 victory in Lincoln, Neb. Leading by just three points heading into the final match, senior Stephen Dwyer notched a pin at 174 pounds to secure the victory for the Huskers.

A Closer Look at the Northern Iowa Panthers
   With a 7-7 record, the Northern Iowa Panthers will be looking to move their record above the .500 mark against the Huskers on Sunday. The Panthers opened the season by winning four out of their first five matches, notching wins against Mckendree, UW-Parkside, Old Dominion and Binghamton. After their hot start, UNI struggled in the coming weeks dropping five straight matches, before upsetting No. 24 Ohio State, 20-19. The Panthers are currently riding a two-match winning streak after defeating North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
   Individually for UNI, No. 14 Ryan Loder leads the Panthers at 184-pounds. So far this season, Loder has an 18-8 overall record and is second on the team in wins behind the Panther's other ranked wrestler No. 16 Christian Brantley (HWT). Brantley has a 20-5 overall record, with 12 of those victories coming in dual competition.
   The Panthers are coached by Doug Schwab.

Northern Iowa Ranked Wrestlers
184- Ryan Loder (14)
HWT-Christian Brantley (16)

Husker History vs. Northern Iowa
   The Huskers and Northern Iowa have a rich tradition against each other having dueled over 30 times in their program's histories. UNI holds the advantage in the overall record between the two schools at 27-14-1. The last time these two school's met was on Feb. 2, 2001, when the Huskers were victorious by a 26-20 count in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Burroughs Looks to Cement Name in Record Books
   After becoming the 19th wrestler in program history to reach the 100-win mark earlier this season, Burroughs has his sights set on many of the school's all-time wrestling records after starting the season 21-0.
    - Moved past Gary Albright (1981-86) for No. 7 in the all-time victories chart with 113.
    - Currently sits at No. 6 on the all-time winning percentage chart with a .850 clip and a 113-20-0 career record.
    - Needs four dual victories to move into the top ten in career dual wins.
    -Currently at No. 9 in career dual winning percentage at .871.
    - Has accumulated 14 falls this season to move his career total to 35. Burroughs would need 10 more victories by technical fall or pin to move into the top 5 career falls list at NU.

Ihnen vs. Rutt Will Be Rematch of Midlands Finals
   Junior Josh Ihnen will have a second chance at one of the top wrestlers at 184-pounds this week when he takes on No. 4 Travis Rutt (Wisconsin) on Friday. Ihnen, who is ranked at No. 12 by Intermat, fell to Rutt in the finals of the Midlands Championship in a tight, 4-3, decision. Rutt owns a 19-1 record this season, while Ihnen will enter the match with a 19-4 record and riding a three-match winning streak.
   The road will not get much easier for Ihnen against the Panthers as he will take on another ranked opponent in No. 14 Ryan Loder. On the season, Ihnen owns a 1-3 record against ranked opponents with all three of those losses coming by less than two points. The junior also owns one victory over a top five opponent after defeating No. 4 Grant Gambrall (Iowa), 4-2, in the semifinals of the Midlands Championships.
Huskers In the Midst of Seven-Match Road Swing
   The Huskers are currently in the middle of the longest road dual streak on the schedule as they prepare for their fourth and fifth consecutive road duals this weekend. The Huskers last had a home dual on Dec. 11, when they defeated Oregon State, 17-16, and don't return back to the Coliseum until Feb. 4, when they will take on Arizona State at 7 p.m.
   So far this season, the Huskers own a 6-1 dual record while on the road with away matches against No. 7 Missouri, No. 10 Oklahoma, Duke and North Carolina.

Johnson Making Most of Return to Huskers
   Senior Andy Johnson is making the most of his return to the Husker lineup after sitting out from competition in 2009-10. In his first three seasons as a Husker, Johnson accumulated just four dual wins and 22 victories overall.  This season, Johnson has started every dual at the 197-pound weight class and has earned a 7-3 record during the dual season, while claiming 18 victories overall. Johnson has defeated two top 20 opponents so far this season including No. 20 Brent Haynes (Missouri) and No. 14 Cody Magrum (Ohio State).

Huskers Release 2011 Summer Camp Dates
   The Nebraska wrestling program has announced camp dates for the summer of 2011 on the days listed below. Camp information, including dates, costs and an application form, will be available before the end of January.
   The Husker staff will host three team camps and three specialized individual camps during the summer of 2011. Wrestlers in attendance will have a chance to learn from and compete with the Husker wrestling staff and team members. Head Coach Mark Manning will provide instruction at each camp as well as numerous guest instructors. To sign up for the 2011 wrestling camps, visit Huskers.com or call the Husker wrestling office at (402) 472-9430.

TEAM CAMPS:
Team Camp I - June 26-30
Team Camp II - July 10-14 
Team Camp III - July 17-21

INDIVIDUAL CAMPS:
Technique Camp - June 14-17
Intensive Camp - July 8-21
Takedown Camp - July 7-10

Burroughs Brings in Big 12 Awards
Senior Jordan Burroughs is one of two wrestlers in the Big 12 to receive Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honors twice this season. Burroughs was honored on Dec. 13, 2010, and Jan. 3, 2011. Over his career, Burroughs has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week four times in his career.

Huskers Announce Talented Signing Class
   Head Coach Mark Manning and the Husker wrestling program have announced the signings of four high school seniors who plan to enroll and compete at Nebraska beginning with the 2011-12 season.
   Three of the four signees are ranked in the InterMat Top 25, while the other is a two-time Nebraska Class C state champion. Three of the wrestlers have been crowned state champions at their respective high schools.

2010-11 Nebraska Wrestling Signees (bold weights indicate projected college division)
Austin Wilson, Hastings, Neb. (Hastings St. Cecilia) - 157/165
   Austin Wilson will enter his senior season at Hastings St. Cecilia looking to break the all-time career victories record in Nebraska state high school history. Wilson owns a 133-3 career record and would need 39 victories to break the record of 172. As a sophomore, Wilson finished the season with a perfect 47-0 record while only giving up one takedown and one reversal all season en route to the Class C state title at 130 pounds. In his junior season, the Hastings native was just as impressive, going 48-0 and only being scored on one time. Wilson's 48 victories as a junior broke an All-Class record for wins a season. Wilson is nationally-ranked as the No. 15 wrestler in his weight division according to WIN magazine. Wilson is set to wrestle at either the 157 or 165 pounds.

Jake Sueflohn, Hartland, Wis., (Arrowhead) - 141/149
   Jake Sueflohn has established himself as one of the best high school wrestlers in the country after winning the 2010 Wisconsin Division I state championship at 135 pounds. Sueflohn, a Harland, Wis. Native, is ranked as the No. 4 wrestler in the nation at the 140-pound weight division and is the No. 23 ranked recruit overall according to InterMat. As a freshman, Sueflohn finished third at the state championships at 119, while recording a 50-4 record. His sophomore season saw him finish in the runner-up spot at the 125-pound weight division going 38-5. Sueflohn owns a 146-12 career record. Sueflhon is slated to wrestle at either 141 or 149 pounds.

Donny Longendyke, White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake) - HWT
   Donny Longendyke will enter his senior season as one of the most dominate heavyweights in the country after going 47-0 as a junior, while recording 39 pins en route to the Minnesota Class AAA state championship. In his sophomore season, Longendyke recorded a 39-2 mark and a second place finish at the state championships. Longendyke was the No. 2 rated heavyweight recruit in the country according to InterMat, and the No. 25 overall prospect in the country. This summer, Longendyke was most impressive at the USA Wrestling National Championships in Fargo, N.D., where he placed in all five events he entered and earned a spot in the finals twice. Longendyke will wrestle at the Heavyweight spot for the Huskers.

James Green, Willingboro, N.J. (Willingboro) - 157
   James Green will join the Husker wrestling program after accumulating over 100 victories in his first three seasons at Willingboro (N.J.) High School. As a junior, Green finished his junior season with a 35-2 record and a second place finish at the state championships. Green is considered one of the top recruits in the country and is ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect by InterMat. The Willingboro, N.J. native is the 2nd-ranked wrestler at the 145-pound weight division by WIN magazine and checks in as the 4th-ranked wrestler in Intermat's individual rankings. Green is projected to be a 157-pound wrestler at Nebraska.

Four-Time All-American Snyder Returns as Assistant Coach
   The Nebraska wrestling team announced this offseason the return and addition of one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history, as Bryan Snyder was named an assistant coach for the Huskers Over the summer,
   The only four-time All-American and four-time conference champion in school history, Snyder comes back to the Husker wrestling program in its 100th anniversary season. The Easton, Pa., native spent last year as the head assistant coach at Arizona State and helped guide five Sun Devils to the 2010 NCAA Championships in Omaha. Snyder began his coaching experience as an assistant at Harvard in 2002-03, while returning to the Husker wrestling program as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05), as NU went 38-5-1 in duals and finished fifth at the 2004 NCAA Championships.
   As a wrestler, Snyder ranks No. 1 on Nebraska's all-time winning percentage chart (.925), compiling a 136-11 record from 1999-2002. He claimed All-America accolades and a Big 12 championship all four years, while finishing as the NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds in 2001 and 2002. He amassed over 30 wins per season three times, including his 43-3 record as a sophomore that stands as the second-best single-season mark in school history. A four-time NWCA All-Academic selection, Snyder was named the 2002 Nebraska Male Student-Athlete of the Year and graduated with a double major in Sociology and Communication Studies.

Brester, Brown Join NU Coaching Staff
   Two recent NU All-Americans will add further experience and knowledge to the Husker wrestling coaching staff as Nebraska announced the additions of volunteer assistant Brandon Browne and administrative assistant Craig Brester. Along with coach Bryan Snyder, the three new hires combined to win 87 percent of their matches and earn eight All-America honors during their Husker careers.
   Browne will be in his second year with the Huskers after serving as the team's club coach last year. A native of Plattsmouth, Neb., Browne won back-to-back Big 12 championships at 174 pounds in 2008 and 2009.
   Brester will be the most recent face on the NU staff and serve the role of administrative assistant. The Howells, Neb., native finished his career this past March with his second-straight NCAA runner-up finish at 197 pounds. Through four years, Brester produced a 109-21 record and ranks with the eight-best winning percentage (.838) in school history.

Hendricks Look Forward to Hendricks Training Complex
   The Nebraska wrestling program will be experiencing some major facility improvements in the near future, starting with the addition of the Hendricks Training Complex.
   The Hendricks Training Complex, which will provide three full-sized practice mats, new office suites and new areas for both strength and conditioning and athletic medicine at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, is currently under construction. The new practice facility will be open for student-athletes at Nebraska beginning in the 2011-12 season - the same year the Huskers are scheduled to begin competition in the Big Ten Conference.
   In addition to the new practice and training facility, the Husker men's and women's basketball teams will move into a new home in 2013-14 with the addition of a new downtown arena. At the same time, the Devaney Center will undergo major renovations to benefit the sports who will remain housed in the facility.