Wrestling rolls past N.M. Highlands, No. 5 UCO |
| Posted by Administrator on Feb 04 2009 |
Photo by Kristen Brockman
Junior Matt Farrell of Omaha wraps up Zach James of Central Oklahoma in the 197-pound weight class during the dual Thursday at the Health and Sports Center. Farrell won 24-11.
By Garrett Ritonya
Antelope Staff
The University of Nebraska-Kearney Wrestling Team defeated RMAC opponent New Mexico Highlands 41-9 before a much-anticipated match-up with non-conference rival, the Central Oklahoma Bronchos, on Thursday.
The Lopers steamrolled the Cowboys early, winning eight matches in just an hour. The most anticipated match of the dual came at 174-pounds, where second-ranked junior Marty Usman of Arlington, Texas, took on Highlands' third-ranked Jesse Feinsod. In three years, the Lopers had never defeated Feinsod.
Usman, however, never let the match get close by recording a takedown early in the first period and never looking back, winning the match by decision 8-1. The win against the Cowboys gives UNK a mark of 2-0 in the RMAC.
"Marty (Usman) was really focused this weekend, and his wrestling really showed that," said Head Coach Marc Bauer. "Our team is making that push now as we head into our conference duals."
In the second dual of the night, the fourth-ranked Lopers took on the fifth-ranked Bronchos of Central Oklahoma. The Lopers took down the Bronchos, pronounced Broncos, 24-17, to further establish their place in the top five in the country.
Usman was once again in another dogfight, this time against fifth-ranked Tommy McCarty. After tying things up late, McCarty used a near takedown to escape with the one point victory, 2-1.
Usman's record on the year is now 32-6, among the best in the country at 174-pounds.
In the upset of the night, Imperial junior Taylor May, ranked sixth at 165-pounds, shutout the Bronchos' third-ranked Mikey Morgan, 5-0.
"I like where our team is at," Bauer said. "We have no major injuries, and our men have a lot of confidence. I look forward to what these following weeks are going to bring us as we are six weeks out from Nationals."
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