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Philadelphia, Pa. – All-Americans James Green (157) and Robert Kokesh (174) each opened their senior campaign with a victory at the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday night at The Palestra.
Kokesh, the second-ranked wrestler by InterMat, defeated NAIA No. 1 and three-time national champion Brock Gutches of Southern Oregon by an 8-2 decision at 174 pounds. After a Gutches takedown in the first period, the Husker senior controlled the rest of the match, earning an escape in the opening stanza before getting a takedown to build a 3-2 lead.
In the second period, Kokesh rode out Gutches from the top position to rack up nearly two minutes of riding time heading into the final period. Kokesh started the third period on bottom and earned an early escape before taking down Gutches and added a riding time point to secure a victory in his first match of the season.
Green, the No. 2 wrestler at 157 pounds, won by a 6-4 decision over No. 3 Ian Miller of Kent State. Miller struck first with a takedown in the opening period, but gave Green a free release. Green responded with a takedown of his own before rewarding Miller with a free release to make the score 2-2.
In the second period, Green started in the bottom position and earned an escape to take a 3-2 advantage. Miller took down Green, but the Husker senior escaped to tie the score 4-4 heading to the third period.
Miller started the final period in the down position and was called for stalling, which gave Green a 5-4 lead. Green added a point for riding time, which led to a 6-4 final. After the competition, Green was named Most Valuable Wrestler for the Red team.
The Huskers open their dual season on Friday at 4 p.m. (CT) against Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo. On Saturday, Nov. 8, NU will compete at the Cowboy Open, which starts at 10 a.m. Nebraska’s first home dual is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16 against Maryland at the NU Coliseum. The Huskers’ five remaining home duals will be contested at the Devaney Center.
Nebraska Results at the NWCA All-Star Classic
174: #2 Robert Kokesh (Nebraska) by dec. over Brock Gutches (Southern Oregon), 8-2
157: #2 James Green (Nebraska) by dec. over #3 Ian Miller (Kent State), 6-4