Venz Named to 2018 NWCA All-Star Classic

Lincoln, Neb. – Taylor Venz, a redshirt sophomore for the Nebraska Wrestling team, has been selected by the National Wrestling Coaches Association to compete at the 53rd NWCA All-Star Classic. The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 2 at the National Western Complex – Stadium Arena in Denver, Colo. The All-Star Classic features a dual meet format, with many of the top-tier men’s and women’s collegiate wrestlers. Many of these matchups could be a prelude to the NCAA Championships in March.

His competitor will be Cornell’s Max Dean, who Venz defeated 11-6 in a head-to-head battle in the consolation quarterfinals at the 2018 NCAA Championships. He took control of the bout after a pair of first-period takedowns. Dean, a sophomore from Lowell, Mich., posted a 32-6 record in 2017-18, including a perfect 15-0 in dual meet action.

Venz established himself last season as a rising star at 184 pounds, finishing fourth at the 2018 NCAA Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. He went on to earn All-America honors in his first year as a Husker.

The Farmington, Minn. native compiled a 29-9 record in 2017-18, including a 10-4 mark in dual meets. After suffering a second-round loss at last year’s NCAA Championships, he reeled off five consecutive consolation victories on his way to a fourth-place finish.

Venz is NU’s first All-Star representative since James Green and Robert Kokesh each earned victories for the Huskers in the 2015 All-Star Classic.

The 2018 NWCA All-Star Classic is hosted by the University of Northern Colorado. Each match will be streamed live on Trackwrestling.com and tickets for the event are $20. More information, including the time of the bout, will be sent out at a later time.