Huskers Add Arthur for Upcoming Season

The Nebraska wrestling team announced the addition of 149-pounder Justin Arthur for the 2014-15 season on Wednesday.

"We're very excited about Justin Arthur joining us,” Head Coach Mark Manning said. “Justin possesses the qualities we look for and demand from our student-athletes, and he was highly sought after the last couple weeks by some of the top teams in college wrestling. Justin competed as a true freshman and had a tremendous year. He expressed to us the need to become a national champion as well as being part of a program that can challenge for championships. We feel he is another piece to the puzzle that allows our program to move forward toward our goals."

Arthur spent his first year of college wrestling at Clarion, where he compiled a 29-16 record at 149 pounds and narrowly missed the All-America podium at the 2014 NCAA Championships. After dropping his opening match at the national tournament, Arthur reeled off three consecutive wins in the consolation bracket before falling to fourth-seeded Kendric Maple of Oklahoma by a 7-4 decision. Arthur, a Huntington, W.V., native, earned a pin and major decision during his winning streak at the NCAA Championships.

Before Clarion, Arthur completed his high school career at Huntington under Coach Robbie Archer as a three-time West Virginia state champion with a career record of 142-15. As a senior, he was named West Virginia’s Most Valuable Wrestler when he went 30-2 and collected a state title at 145 pounds. Arthur added state crowns as a junior in 2012 at 138 pounds when he went 40-2, and in 2010, when he earned a 39-3 record at 119 pounds. In 2011, he finished third at 130 pounds with a season record of 33-8.

In addition, Arthur was the NHSCA Senior Nationals runner-up and a two-time Fargo All-American.